Entry posted by 45609
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Another small but essential piece of motive power has been added to my collection. 58165's life may have been unremarkable but it was certainly a long one. Built from 1875 onwards the Midland 2Fs 0-6-0 obviously served successive masters well as many lasted well into the 1960's. Their diminuitive stature and low axle loading, giving them a wide route availability, made them useful beyond their years. To adapt a phrase from a well known Danish lager they were able to reach parts of the system that others were not able too. However, I think it may be a stretch to claim that this was probably the best locomotive in the world.
The model of 58165 has had a bit of an identity crisis as I acquired the locomotive a year ago and it was finished in LMS livery carrying the number 22974. The loco was built to a very high standard by the late Gwilym McCoach. It runs beautifully being fully sprung with CSBs and split axle pickup on loco and tender.
The decision to relivery in BR black was never in doubt and, to be fair, the LMS finish had seen better days. The choice of 58165 revolves around my interest in the ex Midland lines in North Gloucestershire and my involvement with Robin Whittle's Barrow Road project. 58165 had a brief spell at Gloucester Barnwood shed and would have been regularly employed on local trip freights and engineering trains.
In the LMS guise the loco did not have a vacuum ejector fitted so during the strip down all the necessary vacuum brake pipework was installed. A few other items were also addressed during the heavy general overhaul and I'm pleased to say a test run on the group layout this afternoon has gone without a hitch. A bit of weathering and some couplings now await.
If anyone would like a closer look at this loco it will be in the display cabinet at Scaleforum this coming weekend.
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