Ivatt Boiler Lift

Thursday, 31st July, 2025

46428: Another significant day in the restoration of our Ivatt Class 2 Mogul.

The boiler lift has taken place today. It required the boiler to be rotated 180° to leave the foundation ring pointing upwards. The foundation ring is a thick ring of steel at the base of the firebox to which the steel outer and copper inner wrappers are fixed with rivets. It must be removed for inspection as they are prone to cracking. If it's found to be free of faults it can be cleaned up and re-used. That decision will be taken in consultation with our boiler inspector and boilersmith.

The rotation of the boiler was skilfully done by the ELR staff, Jonathan and Harry. Thank you both so much gents. You played a blinder. And thanks to all from our group who turned up today to help in whatever way required.

In addition to the lift we had to move our Ivatt loco wheels to release the trapped Simplex shunting loco, which is in line for restoration.

Now that the boiler has been lifted onto its trolley/bogie it has released some room, so the ELR have kindly lifted in a 15 ton wide freight van, which belongs to our group. It was brought to the railway a long time ago from the Preston area where it was being used on a site building a retail park. Now that it's close to our workshops we are intending to restore it and it is in an appropriate setting, even though it is grounded (not on a wheeled chassis).       We are a preservation group!

The loco wheels, comprising three drivers and a leading axle, had to be craned into their new place of storage. These too can now have work done to the surface finish as they have been re- tired and are good to go on the loco as soon as the axle boxes are completed.

 Well done and thank you to all involved. See pics from today.