YEO and EXE are expected to cost around £500,000 each, and will not only benefit from the drawings, patterns and experience gained from building LYD, but also economies of scale by building additional components for further new-builds of TAW and LEW. This means a full complement of Manning Wardles is in prospect for the future. Furthermore, as the L&B Trust owns the Manning Wardle Trademark, these engines will carry Manning Wardle works numbers 2048 and 2049 respectively.
The L&BR has neither the capacity nor resources to build the engines, consequently, YEO is to be assembled at 'Workshop X' in Killamarsh, Derbyshire (where the replica NWNGR single Fairlie Gowrie is also to be built), and EXE at the Ffestiniog Railway's Boston Lodge Works.
Things may have been quiet since the project's launch, but we have been busy focusing on design and also fundraising. More news to be available at the September Gala.
The 762 club is busy raising funds for both of these engines. To contribute to their construction, please click HERE.
July News
The 762 Club launched Project YEO and Project EXE back in September 2018 with the goal of bringing two new-build Manning Wardle 2-6-2T locomotives back to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Since the launch of this appeal, fundraising has almost reached the £100,000 level. Note; this figure is ‘committed’ funds (i.e. it includes funds in the bank but also amounts still to pay from members who contribute via the monthly standing order option) and also includes a planned Gift Aid claim to the HMRC. The actual YEO and EXE ring-fenced funds in the 762 Club account are approx £41,000 made up of £23,000 allocated for YEO and £18,000 allocated for EXE.
Work set to begin on YEO
The 762 Club directors had a most educational and entertaining visit to the workshops in North East Derbyshire where it was suggested YEO could be built. After the visit we were delighted to confirm that YEO will indeed be built at Killamarsh.
The team at ‘the works’ have plenty of experience in restoring narrow-gauge steam locomotives and in addition many years of engineering - and steam locomotive engineering at that – between them.
An upcoming visit to the FR will enable some of the team to review drawings and details used in the construction of LYD to decide what further design input is required. Some drawings will need to be redrawn in 3D CAD and we have a member in the YEO team who will be doing that with other assistance as required.
Simultaneously, James Evans is checking the various patterns used on LYD to validate what remedial work may be required before they are used again. There are also a number of potential revisions to the design of LYD which should be incorporated into our Manning Wardle production. These have been listed and consideration is being given to the desirability of each and every suggestion. At the same time there are many updated features included on LYN and it makes sense to see what of those can be included on our future new-builds.
The intention (funds permitted) is to start work at the beginning of 2020 in obtaining castings, materials and actual physical work. Meanwhile the design stages will be moving forward. This work will be charted on the 762 Club website in a similar fashion to the popular LYNformation but named YEOformation or EXEformation and for this to be visible to members of the YEO or EXE fund as appropriate.
In a few short(ish) years we should have the magnificent sight of YEO and EXE double-heading trains on the L&B once again; the stuff dreams are made of!
LYN
Earlier this year LYN travelled once again to North Wales to participate in the Snowdonian train over the Welsh Highland Railway and gave a truly sterling performance.
The following day Lyn hauled two L&B Specials from Portmadoc to Waunfawr which went very well and gave an excellent demonstration of her current performance and potential.
LYN attracts steaming fees whilst based on the Lynton & Barnstaple. These fees are ring-fenced for future heavy maintenance operations to LYN and currently just over £32,000 accumulated funds exist for this purpose.
LYN continues to operate well at Woody Bay.
LYN is a credit to each and every one of you who helped bring her into being!
762 Club Finance
Almost every £1 donated to the 762 Club goes towards locomotive design or construction. General expense outgoings are minimal and include LYN’s insurance (primarily to cover Product Liability risk) and the 762 Club’s accountant fees for generating the annual accounts and filing at Companies House.
The 762 Club is VAT registered and pays and reclaims VAT as appropriate. Gift Aid is claimed from the HMRC on applicable donations.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations)
Members maybe aware of the above regulations which became law in May 2018. Please note your 762 Club data is used solely for the purpose of administering your membership of the 762 Club. Your data is NOT transferred, sold or used by any other third party (this includes the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust and CIC).
Members are reminded to help us make sure your data is up to date so please advise me of any changes to your correspondence address and critically email address so we can ensure we can keep you up-to-date with any new information.
And Finally
For those who hae not done so yet, why not join the YEO and/or EXE fund and like LYN be a part of an amazing project. Please click here to download a copy of the Project YEO and Project EXE fundraising leaflet.
Thank-you, as always, for your support.
Jon Pain
The 762 Club
The Snowdonian - the NG event of the year?
Preserved Railway has posted this video of the Snowdonian to YouTube.
Our thanks to Jeremy English of Rail Scene Video for this excellent footage