| 23 January 2011. An agreement was signed regarding the transfer of locomotive 'Lord Fisher' to Yeovil Railway Centre. A copy of the press release follows. Lord Fisher on the move Since the final steaming of Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST ‘Lord Fisher’ (Works No 1398, Built 1915) on 13 January 2007, the locomotive has been stored on East Somerset Railway at Cranmore awaiting a 10 year overhaul. As the railway has no current requirement for ‘Lord Fisher’, Yeovil Railway Centre have agreed with the owner, Barry Buckfield, to move the locomotive to its site at Yeovil Junction for restoration. The initial dismantling will take place at Gartell and Son, Engineers at Yenston near Templecombe. The chassis will then move to Yeovil whilst Gartells will complete a retube, renew the Crown Stays and other work as necessary on the boiler and firebox. In due course, the locomotive will be reassembled at Yeovil. ‘Lord Fisher’ will join resident steam engine at Yeovil Railway Centre, Peckett ‘Pectin’ (Works No 1579, Built 1921) whose own 10 year overhaul is due in June 2014. ‘Lord Fisher’ worked at military establishments in the south east until being purchased by the Gas Board around 1950. It ended up dumped at Hilsea Gasworks in about 1960 when it was purchased and fully overhauled by the Chapel Tramway in Southampton, an industrial line near to the docks. This line closed in 1967 and in the same year 'Lord Fisher', still in working order, was bought by a small group and went first to Longmoor, then to Radstock and finally in 1973 to Cranmore. By this time Barry Buckfield was the sole owner. During the early years of the East Somerset Railway, it was the mainstay, operating brakevan trips and being available for shunting. It was still being used for most shunting up to around 1997 when small diesel shunters were introduced at the East Somerset Railway, which took over most this work. |
| This and the following two pictures show 'Lord Fisher' at Radstock in 1973. Note that dumb buffers are still fitted at this time. (Photos courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| This and the following picture show the locomotive at Cranmore, East Somerset Railway on 09 April 2005. (Photos courtesy John Cornelius) |
| Barry Buckfield, owner of 'Lord Fisher' puts pen to paper, watched by Paul Gould, Chairman Yeovil Railway Centre. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Volunteers join in a photo to mark the occasion. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 10 February 2011 'Lord Fisher' arrived at Gartell's near Templecombe where it will be initially dismantled. The tractor unit has already been detached from the trailer. Please note that the engine is not available for public viewing as this is a private commercial site. |
| Set up for unloading. |
| A tug to get the loco rolling down the ramp, controlled with a chain attached to the tractor unit. |
| Nearly there. |
| Safely unloaded. Dismantling to start imminently!! |
| 21 February 2011 Still relatively intact! (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| Tank removed. (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| Cab Off. (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| Not looking so intact now!! (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| 23 February 2011. Another working party. Cab and tank ready for transport. |
| Work continues to remove the boiler from the frame. |
| Today's working party, Roger, Matt (underneath), Dave and John (Gartells) |
| Why does Matt get all the good jobs!! |
| Boiler lift. (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| Steam clean. (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| Safely down! - now requires removal of tubes etc ready for assessment of the work required. (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| Roger, Matt & John look pretty pleased with themselves. (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| Lord Fisher is now a rolling chassis. (Photo courtesy Dave Grabham) |
| 01 March 2011 Various parts of Lord Fisher have now arrived at Yeovil Railway Centre.... |
| ....Cab.... |
| ....2 buffers.... |
| ....and tank. |
| 17 March 2011 The engine's chassis was delivered to Yeovil today. After turning in the station carpark, the transporter prepares to reverse into a field entrance to get a straight run through our low bridge entrance. |
| Just fits!! |
| And successfully up the slope. |
| Preparing to unload the chassis. (Picture by Pete Goodland) |
| Nearly there. (Picture by Pete Goodland) |
| Ready to roll down, steadied by the JCB. (Picture by Pete Goodland) |
| Job done - tight bend to negotiate! (Picture by Pete Goodland) |
| The transporter is a nice piece of preservation in commercial use! (Picture by Pete Goodland) |
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