for the 0-4-0T, since thie cab looks like it is beyond restoration, maybe refabricating a new cab and water tank is in order if you ever decide to restore it some more. i saw the engine a few weeks ago and the boiler and firebox are in good condition, its the tank and cab that needs replacement. as for the 938, what restoration needs to be done there?
I certainly would not rate either cab or tank as beyond restoration. The base of the tank was rusted and cut off many years ago. However the rest of the structure seems sound and so new bottom sections would need to be welded on.
938 is a huge job. While the parts are there it is just about a complete rebuild. I do not know to what extent the boiler has been assessed in detail.
Nigel
So does 1630 basically only need reassembly? With the boiler in particular. Does her tender or running gear need any work before she's ready for the high iron? Also I really hope you guys put the ATSF 6 chime back on her. And I'm just kinda spitballing here but would it be the 3007 or the 938 that would be chosen in the distant event that you guys would want a big mainline engine?
Basically the plan is "ONLY" reassembly. As far as we know she is is reasonable mechanical shape. The big mechanical problem that stopped her (slack in the rear axle boxes) was fixed and she was otherwise in reasonable shape. Obviously known minor issues when she last ran were fixed as part of the work being done.
Other things have been examined but have indicated work that will be handled in the future as part of normal over winter maintenance rather than requiring urgent fixing now.
Clearly, from where we are now, she will not run much this season. However we desperately want to do some running as this will allow us to spot any issues that need to be fixed over winter. Given that she has not run for some years we would be VERY lucky if nothing shows up when we first run her. Such things we would obviously like to have identified before the winter rather than at the start of the season.
I cannot imagine a direct choice between 938 and 3007. 938 is not a really big locomotive while 3007 certainly is a big mainline loco comparable to 261. As regards condition 3007, like many of the larger later locomotives, is in much better condition than the previous generation ones like 938.
Nigel
The donation was to the museum as a whole. How it is used and whether any comes to steam department projects will be the decision of the museum Board.
Nigel