Progress July 2024

Week Three On Tuesday, we continued with the drilling of the smokebox where, given the rarity of a very sunny day, the temperatureinside it reached 42º before the guys called it a day. The cleaning up of both the superheater header and the cylinder block saddle was completed after which they received a coat of heat-resistant paint. A blanking plate was … Read More

Newsletter No27 – Summer Special

A tremendous thank you to everyone, past and present, who has bought shares, merchandise, contributed financially or volunteered their time. We are here because of you . . . and the final hurdle begins now!

Newsletter No.26 – Summer 2024

As some shareholders may have seen on our weekly Facebook page, the boiler has passed its boiler inspector’s hydraulic test with 260 psi showing on the gauge. Another very major milestone! Download and read the story below.

Progress June 2024

Week Four This week, 4253’s boiler was filled with water for the first time in 60 years for its initial hydraulic test which took the pressure to 260 psi.   There were a few leaks that need addressing but no surprises there given the amount of repair work that’s been undertaken.  As it’s return it now imminent, the superheater header has been … Read More

4253 Announce Further Investment by RVR

With the 50th Kent & East Sussex Railway Gala in full swing at Robertsbridge Station, Sunday 2nd June saw the announcement of a new investment in the 4253 Locomotive Company by the Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust. On behalf of 4253, Chairman Charlie Masterson thanked Rother Valley Railway Trustee Richard Broyd CBE for the Trust’s further substantial financial input to … Read More

Progress May 2024

Week Four A lot of prep work carried out on the 541 tender this week with areas that will be welded being measured, marked out and then ground back to remove the mill scale. One of the thick bars to which the door shut plate is attached was too corroded for further use so a new one was cut, drilled … Read More