| The Nord 4-6-0 no.3.628 or SNCF no.230D116 was today transported to Poole-Cherbourg from the NVR. The locomotive hauled one of the first passenger trains on the NVR on 1.6.1977. Privately owned, it was sold to the Science Museum, but a change of policy meant that it was sold again to a private owner. It has sat in the NVR sidings for many years but has now gone to a good home in France, AJECTA at Longueville where it should be restored for main line running. No mention of its departure on the NVR website, which is rather sad, really. Free running, free steaming, it was much liked by the crews that worked it, and the design, dating from about 1911 greatly interested Sir William Stanier when he was redesigning the Royal Scot class for the LMS. Anyone interested in following the progress of this locomotive should refer to the SNCF Society website. |
14.1.09 The tender was shipped to Longueville, France on 14th January 2009. 1024x768 090114_IMG_3793.JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 The Nord 4-6-0 travels the first few yards of its long journey home to France. M.Bernard Neveux Vice-Director of Ajecta walks anxiously alongside. 1024x715 090512_IMG_4532_09.58hrs.JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 The track is laid out to receive the locomotive. Height restrictions at Poole caused a problem. 1024x683 090512_IMG_4533_09.59hrs.JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 The Nord is moved slowly to the ramp. 1024x683 090512_IMG_4534_10.00hrs.JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 The engine is pushed slowly up the ramp, but.... 1024x683 090512_IMG_4535_10.19hrs.JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 The bogie follows the track but the drivers leave the rails. There is a slight curve in the track. Several adjustments fail, so the only thing is to dismantle all and re-position the lowloader. 1024x683 090512_IMG_4536_10.47hrs_Loading_problem_with_driving_wheels..JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 After over an hour's delay the engine rolls slowly up to its resting place on the transport. 1024x683 090512_IMG_4537_12.35hrs.JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 The Nord is winched on to the trailer at last. It was booked on the 23.15 hrs ferry from Poole. I wanted to photograph the transport passing over the level crossing, but having been here for 5 hours I had to leave. 1024x683 090512_IMG_4538_12.44hrs.JPG Buy Print |
12.5.09 I had to leave at 1 pm, fortunately NVR colleague Murray Brown has kindly supplied these next 3 shots of the Nord's departure from the NVR. 1024x683 090513_Nord-1JPG_Murray_Brown_2_.jpg Buy Print |
12.5.09 The Nord leaves the NVR. 1024x683 090513_Nord-2_Murray_Brown_2_.jpg Buy Print |
12.5.09 Final view of the Nord. 1024x683 090513_Nord-3_Murray_Brown_2_.jpg Buy Print |
12.5.09 From the NVR archive a shot of 3.628 in its glory days at the NVR. 1024x736 Nord_about_1977_on_NVR.JPG Buy Print |
