Peak Locomotive Company Ltd 45041 news

Updated 7/4/10

45041 Royal Tank Regiment continues to have bodywork repairs in the diesel shed at Swanwick including two new cab side sheets. Following bodywork repairs and air tank re-certification (the 10 year insurance ticket has recently expired) a repaint into BR Blue will be completed. It is expected that the work will be completed on 45041 by August because the loco has an invitation to visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the railways diesel gala (17th – 19th September).

Updated 6/2/10

45041 Royal Tank Regiment has had all areas of bodywork corrosion identified, measured and cut out ready for new panels to be welded in. The loco is to receive two replacement cab sides in addition to the bodywork repairs and a complete repaint. The locos air tanks are to be re-certified to allow it to be moved over the national rail network as its 10 year insurance examination certificate has just expired. We are hopeful that new techniques will allow the reservoirs to be examined in position on the loco avoiding the pain and heartache of removing them for hydraulic testing prior to attending the North Yorkshire Moors railway event this September.

The Stones steam heat boiler has been thoroughly cleaned and awaits a hydraulic testing when the boiler inspector returns to Swanwick in February. Hopefully this will be found in good order and move the loco another step nearer being able to provide steam heating, something it has not done for some 30 years.

Updated 5/12/09

45041 Royal Tank Regiment was drained of coolant on Sunday 11^th October and the loco was moved into the diesel shed at Swanwick Jct to allow bodywork repairs to commence. At number 1 end, the Secondmans cab side was removed for replacement on Sunday 18^th October. The locos nose end louvre doors and tail lights were removed on Sunday 25^th when the rotten steelwork around the bottom of the nose ends cut out. The radiator grills were removed at the end of October and revealed major metal corrosion. It has also been found that the engine room roof has a crack in it due to corrosion which is a common problem with Peak locomotive roof sections.

All of the guttering from the number 2 end roof has been removed and both nose end crowns were removed on Sunday 22^nd November. There are still some areas of bodywork to be cut-out before a start is made to welding new steel on to the loco, but progress on the loco slowed during November due to the work required to get the steam heat boiler in D182 certified for use this winter. It is planned that 45041 will be repainted early in 2010 following its bodywork repairs as well as the loco having its air receivers certified to allow movement over Network Rail.

Updated 3/10/09

45041 Royal Tank Regiment hauled the 14:38 Riddings to Hammersmith service piloting D182 on Bank Holiday Monday 31^st August as part of the Works Open Day event. At Hammersmith 45041 ran round with D182 remaining on the rear of the service and 45041 hauled the 15:32 Hammersmith to Riddings. Here 45041 again ran round and piloted D182 on the 15:58 Riddings to Hammersmith as far as Swanwick Junction where both locos were removed and ran light engine to Swanwick shed.

45041 worked services at the D4 50^th Anniversary event held over the weekend of 26^th/27^th September alongside D4, 45133 and D182 and is due to have bodywork repairs undertaken this winter and will be repainted early in 2010. The air receivers will also get their ten yearly inspection and certification to allow the loco to visit other railways.

Updated 4/8/09

Royal Tank Regiment remains operational and available for service. The ‘Tank’ is next in line for bodywork repairs and repainting again in blue livery.

Updated 3/6/09

45041 Royal Tank Regiment hauled services on Bank Holiday Monday 13^th April at the MRC but was replaced at Swanwick Junction half way through the day because of a leaking drivers brake valve. With the brake valve repaired, 45041 then hauled services at the MRC diesel gala held over the weekend of 25^th/26^th April. 45041 also hauled the 11:10, 12:20, 13:50, 15:05 and 16:15 departures from Butterley on Bank Holiday Monday 4^th May. It is hoped that the loco will get some bodywork repairs and a repaint towards the end of this year for which blue paint has already been bought.

Updated 4/4/09

45041 Royal Tank Regiment will have its leaking heat exchanger examined and repaired before being filled with water in readiness for the loco to take part in the Diesel gala taking place over the weekend of 25^th/26^th April. The locos batteries are charged on a weekly basis and it is hoped that the loco will get bodywork repairs and a repaint towards the end of this year. If repaired in time she will run on Easter Monday April 13^th.

Updated 1/2/09

45041 Royal Tank Regiment was drained of all coolant (as it does not carry any anti-freeze) on Saturday 22^nd November. The locos batteries are charged on a weekly basis and the engine was barred over between Christmas and the New Year.

Updated 5/12/08

45041 Royal Tank Regiment has been in use recently. The loco worked 3 trips alternating with a steam loco during the Diesel and Steam weekend on Sunday 28^th September where loco changes were made at Swanwick Junction.

The loco was also used in top and tailed formation with steam loco 73129 on the Midland Railway Butterley (MRB) evening Halloween services on Friday 31^st October. The following day 45041 was again used top and tailed with steam loco 73129 on Firework shuttles between Butterley and Swanwick Junction. 45041 was started up for the final time in 2008 to ensure that the batteries were fully charged on Saturday 22^nd November and was then drained of all water (it does not carry any anti-freeze) later that day and sheeted over.