Baguley Drewry 4wDH 3751 testing :: Fotopic.Net

Baguley Drewry 4wDH 3751 testing

23rd August 2009

Whilst it may look like our ex RNAD Dean Hill Baguley Drewry diesel hydraulic (w/n 3751 of 1980) has sat outside the workshops at Amberley for a number of years unloved and untouched, in fact a lot of work behind the scenes and more importantly between the frames has been ongoing since it was purchased. When acquired, not only was the loco 2’ 6” gauge but it had also been involved in an accident resulting in a snapped front axle. Over the past few years we have been busy stripping down between the frames, overhauling, repainting and regauing. A number of major alterations were necessary to regauge to 2’ 0” gauge and we’re quite proud of the fact that all the work except the pressing off and back on of the wheels was carried out by us on site at Amberley, including the manufacture of a new front axle. During this time, one other ex Dean Hill Baguley was regauged professionally to 2’ 0” and another completed shortly after – obviously proving all those who said it couldn’t be done completely wrong (although it is only just possible!).

So with everything bolted back in, air brakes and other systems overhauled and re-commissioned, the time had come to manoeuvre the loco from its position at 90° to the workshop access tracks. With the museum crane out of action the job was carried out manually. A large heavy-duty Easy-out/sector plate was fabricated, a large Turfor winch borrowed and the loco literally pulled round. In all, the entire manoeuvre to driving off the ramp onto Amberley rail proper took exactly one hour!

We now need to thoroughly test the loco and our alterations before any further major work is carried out. Air brakes to Amberley standards are in the process of being fitted and it is hoped that the Baguley will be available in it’s current industrial condition for passenger duties at our forthcoming Industrial Trains Day in October.

Temporary track and sector plate laid down, packed and bolted up. Almost ready to start up and drive back.	Almost ready to drive back onto the sector plate.	Climbing up ready for the first move.	Gently driving back over the temporary track.
Just coming onto the sector plate.	Fully on and a couple of test pulls with the Turfor to ensure everything was safe.	Turning round slowly.....	.....and a bit further......
... not far off, winching going well and surprisingly easily.	Turned all the way round and ready to drive off the ramp.	Carefully dropping down the temporary ramp, using a Hudson easy-out for the last section.	Safely manoeuvred onto the Amberley system, without a hitch and exactly to the minute, taking one hour.
The various track parts used in the extraction seen in the foreground.	Fowler 'Peldon' proved to be a very useful ground anchor for the Turfor and provides a good comparison. Both locos are almost identical in dimensions, wheelbase, and weight although the Baguley is almost twice as powerful.	Years of being stored outside at both Amberley and RNAD Dean Hill have taken their toll on the cosmetic appearance.	First stop after a quick test run was the high level line in the main workshop for a check of clearances and adjustments. Everything seemed fine with just a couple of tweaks required.
Then time for a quick wash to remove years worth of algae and moss.	Looking much more presentable if a little rusty.	Outside the running shed looking a little smarter.	Pressed into service shunting the museum's ex RAF Fauld coach away after the days service.
Test running on the industrial line.	Test running on the industrial line.