If you attended our diesel gala on Saturday, you will have realised that we have been keeping an awful lot of work on 121 class diesel locomotive 124 secret. Well now the secret is out…
124 has been consuming an awful lot of our time behind the scenes, way more than we posted publicly on our social media and website. The team were determined to get it working before the gala and, against all the odds, they succeeded.
Battling stuck contactors, seized brakes, leaky water pumps, weird electrical issues, driver familiarisation, a last minute major coolant leak, and most importantly the hard work of risk assessments, inspections, dealing with visibility issues, and getting it passed by our regulator – it’s been a whole load of work. This is just the start of it, with further overhaul needed and attention to bodywork pending, following its time by the seaside.
As you all know, the loco was started not long after it arrived. But what you don’t know is that just six weeks after arrival, the first test runs took place during the July holidays, with further driver training runs that same week. Final testing took place a week before the gala, with the first actual train being hauled. (Indeed, the first time a 121 class diesel hauled a train of any sort since March 2008).
And that brought us to Saturday. Much more coverage will no doubt emerge, not least from us. We continue to need your support and donations, and the work will be continuing for some time. In the meantime, it’s a poke in the eye to the miserable ‘they are rotting and will never run again, may as well cut them up’ people.
Thanks to our friends and supporters. Now we have three more locos to get running. If you would to donate towards our efforts, any amount large or small is appreciate, visit our donation page here.
Another way to support us is to become a member, you can join up here.