29th September 2026
Various parts from Nellie’s frames have returned from the blasters looking much better than when they left. Pictured are both buffer beams, the top of the well tank and other sundry stretcher parts, etc.
11th March 2026
Nellie was missing an entire cab window assembly when the trust took ownership. Newton Replicas in Chesterfield have now delivered the replacement cast iron window and mounting pivots. These now await painting, new glazing and drilling/tapping for protection bars. They can then be mounted to the cab. There were no securing latches on the windows, but 740’s had one steel or iron one left. This was used as a pattern and enough have been cast to equip Nellie if it turns out to be useful to have them.
29th December 2025
The first one of Nellie’s wheelsets is mostly cleaned and has received its first coats of paint. The transformation is amazing! It makes huge amounts of airborne dirt when the old oil, grime, etc. is cleaned off so some thought will need to be given to containing that for the rest of the wheels.
29th August 2025
The second coat is on Nellie’s trial axle and looks good.
8th August 2025
As part of a test of new cleaning and polishing methods Nellie’s centre axle has had a tyre cleaned and the first coat of the correct Deutsche Reichsbahn red on one of the cranks. The final colour scheme will probably be polished tyres and axle ends with black wheels and red cranks.
03rd March 2025
Nellie was missing a cab window frame and bracket when bought. A replacement has been cast using the remaining original as a pattern and has just left the foundary.
Later restoration prior to January 2025 – newer images are to the bottom of the gallery.
Early restoration. Newer images are to the bottom of the gallery.
