After an extensive programme of refurbishment and general overhaul, Talyllyn Railway’s Loco No. 7 has been returned to service.

Named after the late Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society pioneer, Tom Rolt, No 7’s boiler was sent away to D and M Goddard of Chippenham, Wiltshire, who specialise in Steam Traction Engine Boilers.

The refurbishment took from October 2018 to March this year. During that time staff and volunteers in the engineering department carried out work on the frame and running gear of No. 7 where, as well as the general overhauling that was needed, other work including some further modifications and new work were also carried out.

Paying tribute to the skills of all who had worked on No. 7, engineering manager Chris Smith said that the loco had only been re-painted in 2017 and that the volunteers had been so skilful and expert in dismantling the loco last autumn, that when it was all finally re-assembled some 10 months later, no further re-painting was needed other than to the new metalwork.

Chris paid tribute to the quality of work on the boiler carried out by Goddards, who specialise in traction engine boilers, but whose engineering skills have transferred so very well to the requirements of the steam railway sector.

Chris also commented on the quality of work undertaken by their own staff and especially by the volunteers on the Talyllyn Railway, a number of whom are highly competent engineers in their own right, and many more who are regular volunteers in the engineering department taking the opportunity to develop their skills.

Former general manager Chris Price, now general manager of the North York Moors Railway, paid a return visit to the Talyllyn Railway and took the opportunity of driving the newly overhauled locomotive. He commented that No 7, Tom Rolt was “in the best condition now”.

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