Tuesday 18 April 2023

April Progress

Progress on the Frames

Work on the parts to re-assemble the frames has continued apace despite working in less than ideal conditions!  There is a coat of gloss on the valances and the frames, together with the buffers and footsteps.

If you would like to have a look at the progress we will be open to visitors during this weekends "Branch Line Event" where you will be able to chat to the restoration team.  In addition, we will be having a sales stand just inside steam works (with the kind permission of Chris Knibbs and Lisa Boyle).
We will be having the usual pickles and preserves as well as tee shirts, Polo Shirts, caps and many other quality items you can buy to help us restore the loco.

Below you can see a selection of pictures of the team working away to get the loco presentable for Branch Line Weekend.  Come along and haver a look at their efforts!

Ben applies a coat of green undercoat on the middle wheel set

Jim painting the motion plate between the frames of the loco

Sean painting the top of the front balance weight 


A sneak preview of the frames (they look even better in real life!)

The front of the frames with a test fit of the buffers

A general view of the frames. What's under the cover? You will need to pop down at the weekend to find out! 
Remember, all of this has been possible with the generosity of people like you that are interested in the project.

Without your support we cannot carry on at the same rate experienced so far.

Please donate anything you can afford if you would like to see our efforts and passion come to a successful end.

We are a completely self funded group of Bluebell Railway Volunteers working hard to look after and promote the small locomotive fleet on the Bluebell Railway.

Contact Information

To make a donation, please go to the Bluebell Trust's donation page at: 

 https://www.bluebell-railway.com/make-a-donation/ 

You will then need to select "P27 - Restoration of SECR P Class No27" from the pull down menu.


To visit our on line shop please click the link below:


where you will find many items for sale, including clothing, gifts, railwayana, books and soon, models!

For general correspondence and other enquiries, please email us at:

thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

For more details on the history of No.27 please go the the Loco 27 page on the Bluebell Railway website:


NEW WEBSITE!

We can at last, announce the new web site for The Little Loco Group this gives the latest information on the restoration of the loco together with other information and useful links to other pages.  This can be found at:

Home - Little Loco Group


We would like to thank our supporters for your continued encouragement, donations and injections of humour and goodwill over the last two difficult years.  It is much appreciated by the team.

We look forward to seeing you at various events over the coming year.  we are already getting invitations to attend shows away from the railway as well as the usual "big days" on the railway.


Monday 6 March 2023

The Fenchurch Fund -Project 27 At Steyning exhibition

 On Sunday 12th of March The Fenchurch Fund - Project 27 will be attending the Wealden Model Railway Group model exhibition in Steyning. See the poster below for details. Additionally we are doing the show catering with all profits coming to our funds, hopefully it will be worthwhile. Arrive early forBacon rolls!

Additionally our modelling group will be displaying a 009 layout called Botolphs, which is on the fictional Lancing and Bramber (L&B) railway, also a diorama of the fictional Hardham loco shed (both Clive Emsley) and another countryside diorama by Stuart Bardouleau.

It would be god to see you there and have a chat, there will be much more to see than just us!



In the near future we will be attending the Beckenham MRC Vintage Model railway show in Beckenham at St Johns Church, Eden Park BR3 3JN. An interesting show, but with a very dangerous club shop! (I definitely overspent there last year!)

A couple of sneak preview pictures of "Botolph's"  See more at the exhibition on Sunday!


An overall view of the station area at Botolph's

Trains laden with sand from the sand pits in the Henfield area served by the Small Dole Railway