Re-railing 30053 at Swanage Station - 14th September 1997

Report and photographs by Keith & Morgan

On the Sunday afternoon of the 1997 Steam Gala weekend there was an unscheduled deviation from the planned programme. The wheels on the leading two axles of the Edwardian ex-main line steam locomotive, the M7 tank No. 30053, (which was built in London in 1905 and is the world's only fully working example), came off the rails at the points opposite the platform at Swanage Station during a goods demonstration movement. Despite the activity illustrated in the accompanying photographs, the incident did not affect the main running track (although it prevented running around), and services continued as scheduled.

The throngs of spectators were then treated to a fine example of professional expertise as a small team of railway staff swiftly brought up a breakdown train hauled by BR Class 08 diesel shunter D3591. The red breakdown van contained various lengths of timber, sleepers, steel plates and jacking equipment which were quickly pressed into service.

The chosen method was to raise the front of 30053 with three hand operated hydraulic jacks under the buffer beam, and then place steel plates under the dislocated wheels and over the running rails and point blades. Various lengths of sleeper were provided to spread the load across the rails and to provide additional height, and then team members took turns at operating the jack handles until the required height was gained on all three jacks.

To avoid fouling the rails during the jacking manoeuvre, it was necessary to unbolt and remove various pipework and bracketry from beneath 30053. While this was going on, D3591 removed the goods wagons from the rear of 30053 in preparation for the tow backwards onto the rails.

Once this had been achieved, D3591 was brought up again and then coupled directly to the rear of 30053. Final checks were made on the packing under the plates before D3591 gently eased the errant locomotive back onto the rails to enthusiastic applause from the watching crowds. It was clear that nobody minded this guest appearance of a diesel shunter during the Steam Gala!

It certainly seems to have been an occasion for gremlins to get into the works. The more observant among the crowd will have noticed that the stone wall at the end of the headshunt had been restyled during the day. Fortunately the wall was due to be replaced with more substantial buffers, now we can see why!

Now the job is finished let the paperwork commence.....

Last Updated 18th October 1997 by Keith Morgan.