Galleries

Before Restoration Begins

Preliminary Work

Photographs taken at the Darley Dale yard show the condition of RS8 before restoration begins, and the scale of the task ahead.

Before RS8 can be dismantled any pipes or fittings connecting the various components to the chassis must be removed. RS8 is brought inside to carry out this work

From Wirksworth to Darley Dale

On the 16th June 2010 Andrew and Peter Briddon brought RS8 from The National Stone Centre at Wirksworth to join the Andrew Briddon Loco Collection at Darley Dale.

Dismantling Begins

RS8 is taken outside once again so that the work of dismantling the loco can commence. Some parts will be taken to Matlock for shotblasting. Other parts will be taken by road to the Sigma6 Workshops at Tunstead Quarry for refurbishment.

Down to the Chassis

The chassis is brought back into Geoffrey Briddon Building so that the chassis can be dismantled. The front leaf springs are removed and signs of welding reveal where the chassis was extended to accommodate the diesel power unit.

The Last Bits

The last components are removed from RS8 chassis before it will be parted from its axles. The Gearbox, Torsion Bar, Suspension, Braking system are all removed..

Dismantling Complete!

The final part of the dismantling process is to lift the chassis from the axles. The Sigma 6 Grove crane is brought down from Tunstead to carry out the work.

Starting to Look Like a Loco Again

May and June saw the axles and gearbox reunited with the chassis and cab

Bit by Bit…

July was a hot month and work continued on RS8. Several smaller components, including hooks, vacuum tank, etc were fitted to the loco, while larger items like the engine were made ready for installing.

The Engine is Back in the Chassis

September saw the engine installed into the chassis. Components were added to the exterior and interior of the cab. Buffers and springs were fitted and the wheel rods were made ready for the wheels.

Historic Photographs

Photographs of RS8 and other locos at work in Tunstead Quarry, Derbyshire

Rebuilding Begins

Less than five months since the project started, the rebuilding of RS8 begins. The chassis has been shotblasted and painted in primer. The axles have been stripped, and a ‘new’ part has arrived at the Geoffrey Briddon building.

Preparing to reassemble

The fabrication work on the chassis is complete and the frame is painted black in the Sigma6 spray booth. The engine still requires work to be done before the test run. Over in the ‘brick shed’ refurbished parts are arriving and awaiting reassembly.

Back where it all began

RS8 will be reassembled in the same place as where she was converted to a diesel locomotive. In the loco workshop of South Central Workshops. The axle boxes are fitted to the axles and the gearbox is lifted into position. The chassis awaits its turn to be lifted and lowered onto the axles

A Lick of Paint

During October the exhaust was fitted. Handrails were restored and refitted to the rear cab. The handbrake chain was fitted. The engine was painted into high temperature grey paint.