Restoration of the N7 locomotive continues.
On Wednesday 30th June, the boiler was
transported away to Heritage Boiler Steam Services Ltd of Huyton Liverpool for
ongoing examination and eventual overhaul. It is currently funded to continue
exploratory works using Restricted funds provided for this purpose in a previously
received large bequest.
In a contract between the company and museum, there is reportedly
a (editors’ terminology) “stop and wait provision” should funds be near
exhaustion then work can stop. This is important, in this way there is no full
liability to complete work in one continuous operation, thus avoid incurring
further expenditure not covered by fundraising.
In this way further fundraising can proceed better knowing of
its condition, progress and therefore a refined estimate of costs. All boiler
work comes with a degree of uncertainty, boilers vary in their condition and
how they respond to “treatment”. Our Chappel N7 locomotive team have done the
necessary preparation works, so the success of this project dwells principally
on the contractor and fundraising to perform well. A new 52-page publication “69621
– Star of the Jazz”, is on sale from the VRC. It details the locomotive class
history, details of restoration of the locomotive and its current condition as
has been sent away for specialist boiler attention.
A number of other locomotive restoration projects are also
being progressed by the company, a new website exists to show all current
projects and the skills employed on their web site.
https://heritageboilersteamservices.co.uk/projects
A short video introduces you to the team at Heritage Boilers who will be working on the boiler.
Liz Larvor, has set up a web promoted fundraising appeal that
has now been launched on the museum’s. Like others before, the appeal for funds
splits the task into smaller manageable pieces. In this way £100K can potentially
be raised through smaller individual donations.
Currently advertised opportunities to sponsor a ‘Copper
Stay’ for £35 (800 available), a ‘Crown Stay’ for £50 (100 available), a ‘Smoke
Tube’ for £60 (134 available) and a ‘Flue Tube’ for £680 of which 18 are available,
inclusive of a complimentary ‘Half Day Driver Experience’ course on the
locomotive. Alternatively, a “General N7 Donation” option is given, of any
amount can be made.
Monies can be collected in a number of ways, directly from the museum’s website posting a cheque to the museum or by arrangement a bank transfer.
This appeal is now been circulated to press and web news outlets. Regular updates on the restoration progress is to be submitted to the Board of Trustees, when possible copied in Chappel News too.
