Volunteers from Irlam Rotary Club have completed the restoration of a rare steam train that once travelled the rails of Salford.
Found near Cadishead Railway Viaduct, the train has seen extensive welding, painting and safety work.
The train is one of only five steam trains ever that were built without a fire box. Instead the train used a steam accumulator instead of the boiler and was then charged up by a stationary boiler which created the steam needed to move the locomotive.
Dave Alletson, President of Irlam Rotary Club said: “Many years ago the steam engine was one of only five steam engines built that didn’t have a fire box built.”
The train was built in 1955 by Peckett and Sons and cost £4,760 to build. It train was originally built with small cylinders which made it less economical and resulted in being underpowered. Attempts were made to improve this, but ultimately it didn’t work, leaving the train being taken out of service in 1969. It was then put in a park as a children’s play area.
Dave said: “For safety it needed revamping, it needed quite a lot of welding to make it safe and it has been closed off.
“It originally was for a jubilee project for the Queens Jubilee that’s why it is in the Royal colours not the original green.”
The Rotary club have plans to renovate the surrounding areas to entice and attract visitors. Dave said: “We do plan to renovate the gardens as well so it looks good in the position that it is as a reminder of the history that it’s placed in.”
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