Railwayananet Auction November 2010

Lot 150
Standard Gauge STEAM LOCO “TOBY THE TRAM”. 

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Standard Gauge STEAM LOCO “TOBY THE TRAM”. Toby started life as a Belgian "Cockerill" 0-4-0 tram No 1626 built in 1890 by Cockerill in Belgium. The loco has two cylinders and operates at a pressure of 140 psi. Number 1626 was discovered in Vilvoorde, Brussels in 1987 and was subsequently purchased and brought over to this country to be rebuilt into a replica of a GER Class G15/LNER Y6 of which none survive. The original versions of these, as well as their larger GER C53/LNER J70 0-6-0 cousins, plied along the much-missed Wisbech and Upwell Tramway, which was located approximately 25 miles to the East of Peterborough. Most people will recognise the Y6 and visibly similar J70 as the inspiration for Toby the Tram from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories (even without a face!) and in fact the Rev W Awdry lived for a time by the Wisbech tramway and modelled Toby the Tram on the J70's that were running there. The loco was brought to the Nene Valley railway and the work started on rebuilding and restoration. Unfortunately the owner has passed away and restoration work has ground to a halt. The current owner feels that this a suitable time for someone else to take the project on and fulfill her husbands desire to have the loco back in steam. It would be a unique loco as the only Y6 look alike is a diesel shunter with a metal body. Toby has been rebuilt to British Standard Gauge and so can be run on any of the preserved railways in this Country. The loco was found in derelict condition so was completely stripped and then rebuilt with the frames lengthened and new buffer beams fitted to match the Y6 specification. Wheels, axleboxes, con rods, valve gear (i.e. all the running gear below the deck) have been refurbished at Swindon Works and bills are available to show this. Work remaining consists of:- Boiler - new tubes, re-studding and a new ash pan. Pipework - All steam pipes will have to be made apart from the main steam pipe, which has been fitted. Bodywork - The cabins and upper body will need to be made from mainly wood panelling. The loco is currently at the Nene Valley railway and it may be possible for the work to be completed at the railway on a commercial basis and then the engine could be based there or taken elsewhere by the new owner. The original builders plates are also available but the air pump that is fitted is not included in the sale but could be purchased separately if required - the loco will only require vacuum braking for preserved lines. Please call us for more information or to arrange viewings. (BTC)  (Minimum Bid on this lot is £4000) 

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