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Beatrice
Beatrice dates back to 1945, being Hunslet's No. 2705, but came to the
railway from NCB Acton Hall Colliery, Pontefract, where it had worked with
two of the other engines which are based at Embsay; S112
and Airedale No. 3. As can be seen in this photo taken
by John Furness at Acton Hall Colliery, Beatrice was identical to Primrose - the
stovepipe chimney having since been replaced by one of original pattern. Not
only is she of the same design as Primrose, but also
the same as Darfield No. 1, which was formerly based on the railway.
Beatrice has proved to be a strong engine, although it was withdrawn for its
current overhaul before the line opened to Bolton Abbey. This will no doubt
be something worth seeing, when the time arrives.
The overhaul is taking quite a long time, although there is a lot of work going
on, as there has been a lot of wear with all the use it has had. So far it
has had a brand new firebox fitted to the boiler, and the rest of the loco has
been completely stripped down for repairs before being slowly re-assembled.
The loco is currently in the new shed and has been re-wheeled, with the axleboxes and springs seeing not inconsiderable
attention. New eccentrics have been made and delivered, the new slidebars have had the final finishing work completed and
the rest of the valve gear is to go away for overhaul along with that belonging to Primrose. A new genuine Hunslet smokebox
was recovered for this engine, and has had repairs carried out after being stood outside on a colliery site!
The drilling and tapping of the new firebox was carried out by owner John Beesley along with volunteers, before being
dispatched for the stays to be rivetted over. Work has since concentrated on the ashpan and grate linkages with painting
being ongoing. The valve gear is currently being tackled.
Beatrice completed te running-in turns successfully, was lined out and entered traffic bu has now been
withdrawn following some problems with the crossheads / slide bars. Work is underway and the loco should re-emerge from the
sheds early in 2013.
Photos of Beatrice undergoing current overhaul
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Owner John Beesley caught on camera brandishing a new brass for one of his engine's axleboxes.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Seen on the lathe, Beatrice's eccentric is being turned. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes during the rebuild of
this loco, and things are beginning to come together.
(c) Tom Ireland.
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The eccentrics are now seen fitted to the axle, which also has its axleboxes on, ready to be rolled under the loco when it is
lifted on the jacks. Re-wheeling has since taken place.
(c) Tim Warner.
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More work continuing on the firebox, showing the sheeting arrangement to provide some shelter from the elements for both the
boiler and the workers.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The boiler is seen here shortly after being returned to the Railway with all the stays riveted over and the boiler
hydraulically tested. It has since been boiled and prepared for its steam test prior to refitting to Beatrice's chassis which
is now approaching completion. The second picture shows John attempting to get the water gauge fittings to seal.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The boiler has been returned to the chassis, which in turn has been lifted in the shed to allow access to the underneath. The
standard of the paintwork should assist crews in cleaning the loco, but it also looks great!
(c) Tim Warner.
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A new hopper ashpan and rocking grate has been designed by John Beesley for Beatrice, in an attempt to make life easier for
crews and to improve the design of the loco. The linkages have been designed and are to be tested in plywood before the
proper ones are made.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Beatrice's boiler was lifted out of the frames to allow the foundation ring to be caulked once the smokebox had been rivetted
in place. Whilst the boiler is out of the frames, the opportunity to refit the motion has been taken. John has also devised
another modification to ensure the smokebox seals better, by preparing to bolt a strip of metal to the cylinder block which
will then be rivetted to the smokebox. This means the metal will corrode, rather than the smokebox itself and should ensure
a much better seal.
(c) Tim Warner.
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More photos of Beatrice at Embsay
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Beatrice stands at the head of the train in Embsay station, waiting to depart
for Stoneacre with a service train. Although this is not an authentic livery,
it sits very well on Beatrice, and she will return in the same.
(c) M. G. Riley.
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Beatrice hauls the Wine & Dine train approaching Skibeden Loop from Embsay. The Gresley
Restaurant Car would be newly outshopped at this time.
(c) John Furness.
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Sitting on the coal dock, the two 16" Hunslets Primrose and Beatrice prepare for hauling the Santa Trains with a covering of
snow on the ground. The two locos should return to steam at roughly the same time...
(c) Robert Milner.
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