E828 - Harry A Frith

2nd September 2009

• Progress on 828's boiler has been moving along slowly and all the foundation rivets have now been successfully removed.  Work has now begun on removing the crown stays and the front two rows have already been removed.  828's cab floor has also started being cleaned with minor work also beginning on the front of the tender.  It is hoped to move the loco chassis and tender closer to the working area in the near future to make it more accessible for sterner work to commence.

• Ex S.R. S15 locomotive No. 828  ‘HARRY A FRITH’

1927     Built by Southern Railway at Eastleigh Works. Allocated to Salisbury Shed for its entire working life.

1964     Withdrawn from service with final mileage of 1,287,124.  After a short period stored at Salisbury, it was moved to Barry scrapyard (S.Wales). Fortunately, it was not cut up.

1980     Bought by ERPS with support from Eastleigh Borough Council from its Lottery Fund, and moved back to Eastleigh with road transport sponsored by Agfa Gaevert.

1981     Restoration commenced in Eastleigh Works under the direction of the late Harry A. Frith, former        Erecting Shop Foreman.  Early decision taken to restore to main line standard.

1993    Restoration completed.  Prime exhibit at Works Open Day.  Certification achieved.

              Winner of National Coal Board Steam Heritage Premium Award.

             Running-in turns on East Somerset Railway.

1994    Acquitted itself over the Settle and Carlisle line during main line workings, the first time ever for a member  of this class of locomotive.

            Represented Southern Railway at ‘BR Sunset’ celebrations at Llandudno Junction – end of Nationalised BR.

1996     Named HARRY A FRITH in honour of Harry after he died that year, in a ceremony performed at Eastleigh Works by artist David Shepherd and Harry’s daughter.

             Appeared at Bournemouth Depot Open Day followed by move to Swanage Railway, where it worked periodically until expiry of boiler certificate.

2002   Boiler ‘ticket’ expired.  Withdrawn from service.

2004   Moved to Mid-Hants Railway - 2^nd overhaul in restoration started……………...

Major mechanical issues are not expected with this overhaul. The boiler is the sole survivor of the 5 built as spares by the North British Locomotive Co. during period 1927-29, along with the 30 locomotives known as 'Scotch Arthurs'. It was fitted to 12 engines previously, mostly 'King Arthur' class', and finally to 828 in June 1958.

The boiler has been inspected by the insurance company and we now know the requirements for its repair. If you want to see this engine working again, please contact ERPS to make a contribution or donation towards the overhaul. We thank you for your interest and appreciate any donations received.

3rd July 2009

• An inspection of 828's boiler was carried out on 19th November by the Insurance Companies engineering surveyor. Also in attendance were a MHR boiler smith and two ERPS representatives with the previous records for the boiler.

The surveyor's report is awaited, but the main issues identified are as follows:

• Wasted heads of side stays below brick arch studs and a small number of broken stays.
• Fissures in the internal radii of the copper firebox, these will require further checks prior to repair.
• Most foundation ring rivets have wasted heads on the fire side.
• A number of firebox lap joint rivets/set screws have wasted heads.
• Fireside flanges eroded on crown stays. All will require replacement.
• The copper pipe between the dome and the manifold flange has frost damage.

The condition of the barrel was considered to be very good and the thickness of the platework/tubeplates was found to be acceptable. The brick arch studds are also in an acceptable condition.
Repairs to the boiler will involve purchase of material, manufacture and fitting of new side and crown stays, set screws and rivets. Grinding out and welding areas of the firebox is also required. External to the pressure vessel, new steel plate is required at the front of the smokebox.
It is anticipated that much of the work can and will be carried out by ERPS representatives under the supervision of the MHR boiler shop manager. Superficial inspection indicates that it may be possible to re-use some of the superheater elements.

Roger Farleigh ERPS 12th December 2007

A history of Harry-A-Frith can be found here.

E828 is currently stored at Ropley on the Mid Hants Railway. The boiler has been removed from the frames to discover what restoration work is required.
Work has commenced on 828's boiler with Malcolm Tomlin & Roger Farleigh leading the team on 828.
Order placed with insurance company to carry out full inspection of the boiler. We currently are awaiting a date.
Having completely stripped the boiler and cleaned it externally and as far as possible internally, there is little more that can be done on the vessel until after the inspection.
Liaison with MHR continues.

Roger Farleigh - 22nd Oct 2007