In what is our first post of the 2026, we look back on 2025. For us you could call this the year of the tank, perhaps more specifically the year of the Esso tank. We started off the year however with the TTAs.
In the first months of 2025, we worked to produce two identical vacuum through pipes for both 1802 and 1919 after first establishing the routing. This has turned our two TTA tanks into TTBs as they were built – B being the suffix code in TOPS for an air braked and vacuum piped wagon.
February also marked the arrival of 3621 from the Fox field Railway. Its arrival marks the fourth such tank at the railway, and you may notice a thread forming…
In March, an Esso tank chassis arrived from Foxfield Railway which, thanks to our friends at the National Wagon Preservation Group (NWPG), was identified as the chassis from 3797. This began a bigger project, and probably a preservation first, to reunite a barrel and chassis.
Thanks again to the NWPG, a barrel was located and purchase and was lifted on in March, and welded on in July with new side tank supports and ladders fabricated and fitted. 3606 and 3621 were both prepped and painted in October.
With 1919 still at Quorn, its barrel and chassis was prepared, painted and signwritten and release to traffic in August.
Winding back to July, the gang helped Eireni and I celebrate our wedding at the Museum of Making. I still smile at the memories of the day and seeing the Quorn lot greek dancing.
Also in July, another Esso tank had arrived from Llangollen. Numbered 3854, it sat as next in the queue. By the end of the year, its sat in primer waiting for undercoat and gloss when the weather is right.
The Lowfit went to Rothley to have both dragboxes rebuilt has a contract job by the C&W team, and also at Rothley a further chassis had arrived to re-wheel a Shock Palvan body. The body was owned by RVP as a store, and is in good general condition aside from the door frame work.
In October, yet another Esso tank arrives at the railway this time from the North Dorset Railway. This tank is 3689, it was made fit to move and has had the vacuum system repaired following the discovery of a ventilated vacuum cylinder. This tank marks the 7th 35t gross Esso tank to arrive at the railway.
Now back at Quorn, the Lowfit received a vacuum cylinder overhaul and a weld repair to the vacuum train pipe.
Towards the end of the year, we’ve again been able to move to Rothley to repair B777728 after it was withdrawn earlier in the year due to the roof trying to part company with the van. We’ve been able to repair and re-sheet the roof, we’ve fitted new door ‘noggins’ and have repainted the two ends and the east side. The west side has also been varnished to increase its longevity.
We’ve opened the Test Car for various events in the year, three times in April, and also the Rail 200 event in August which has given us the opportunity to share the vehicles unique history and meet you all. We supported the ever popular Railways at Work Gala and put on a fantastic show.
Around new arrivals and repaints, we’ve carried on with the usual vacuum cylinder overhauls, annual bearing exams and other small jobs. The BEVs have had repairs and maintenance, and Edward has also had a rebuild.
We’ve launched our new look website, and after a few teething issues its settled down. I’ve got a few other ideas for improvements which I’ll be working on over the coming year.
In 2026, we’ll be continuing push on the Esso tanks, aiming towards a block train of Esso type tanks. 3621 is awaiting signwriting, 3854 is awaiting undercoat and gloss and 3689 needs the works. We’re planning to refresh the van train, the east side of most vans haven’t bee touched for a number of years and they are starting to look a bit tired. We’ve also got a few more roofs to look at. We’ll also get the Conflat and the Lowfit out after a new floor each.
Thank you for reading, and for your support over the year. Our next update will contiue as normal on the 4th.
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