Photo English Electric Copyright Alstom Power Stafford courtesy of Staffordshire Past Track
A Derbyshire based railway charity wants to hear from businesses that could help identify a permanent building in which to house their project.
The Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society is re-constructing Britain’s first mainline diesel locomotive, 10000, which was built at Derby in 1947 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway.
10000 was the design ancestor of most locomotives constructed in the 50s to 80s but sadly it was scrapped in 1968 despite official attempts to preserve it. The re-constructed loco will be a living memorial to the pioneering engineering of the East Midlands.
The charity is eager to hear from anyone who can offer a building in the midlands area in which the new 10000 can be constructed. The space required is around 30 x 10 metres and 5 metres clear space from ground level. Their machinery is currently located at the Peak Railway, Midland Railway – Butterley and a RAF base, pending movement to a single base.
Two original 1947-built English Electric power units have already been secured, together with a chassis from a newer locomotive which will form the basis for the new build. In addition the correct pattern bogies (articulated wheels) were acquired in December 2018. Contractors are set to strip down and assess these bogies over the summer after which they will be painted ready for re-assembly.
The Society was formed in 2011 and is honoured to have as its President Mr Stan Fletcher, a retired English Electric engineer, who was involved in the commissioning trials for 10000 in 1947-50. Now aged 99 years old, he was the subject of a recent BBC East Midlands Today feature available via the www.LMS10000.co.uk video gallery and YouTube channel.
The project is inevitably a lengthy and complex engineering undertaking. Planning has been ongoing since 2011 and is now attracting the involvement of railway industry specialists to finalise mechanical and electrical details.
Businesses interested in assisting the charity can contact Andrew Hoseason on 0755 162 1685, email: [email protected] or by post to IDRS, 25 Pippin Gardens, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 8NU
More information can be found at: www.LMS10000.co.uk along with the LMS10000 Facebook Group and Twitter page.
