The Tin Turtle was one of three proposals submitted by the Trust to Channel 4 and Wall to Wall TV as a suitable candidate for the Salvage Squad programme. The others were the 10HP Ruston and the 48DL Ruston. The turtle was the most risky project of the three in the sense that no prior investigative work had been carried out and the condition of items such as the engine and gearbox were complete unknowns. Thus it was a difficult objective to do a complete restoration to an absolute deadline over a period of just less than 4 months.

The project was started on 18th July and was completed on 8th November, the day it was due to go to its event. This article details what we found on dismantling the loco and the work carried out to bring the loco up to its current standard.

The locomotive was completely stripped down. This involved firstly the removal of the roof, doors and armoured end plates. This allowed access for removal of the fuel tank, radiator, engine covers and controls. After removing the engine and gearbox, the frame and ballast weights were removed and the loco removed from its wheels. The engine was stored in a purpose-built cradle that was designed to allow easy access to all parts for dismantling.

The frame and all related parts were completely shotblasted. The original Knostrop couplers were removed, new cast iron coupler pockets cast and WDLR couplers obtained from the Festiniog Railway. We also had to replace three of the four door catches and brackets that keep the doors open. It was known in advance that the wheels would need to be machined, and we managed to find a local firm, Dilworth and Morris, to do the job for us - not an easy job given that they are made from chilled cast iron.

It was also found that all four axlebox brasses were worn beyond repair and thus four new ones, including axlebox oilers andseals, were obtained from Alan Keef Ltd. We also had to obtain a new suspension spring because one set was completely cracked. New brake blocks were also obtained, the old ones having worn to the old, grooved, wheel profile. The wheels on our loco are not the originals - it appears that they were replaced during the late 1940s.

Whilst work continued on painting up the frames ready for the squad re-fitting the wheels, attention turned to the engine and gearbox. We discovered that there were a few problems with the gearbox. The most serious of these was a badly worn and damaged gear, which was almost certainly the reason why the loco was taken out of service.

The input coupling to the gearbox top shaft had become loose and this had resulted in damage to the keyway, which needed to be repaired. It later transpired that the gearbox output shaft was bent and in the end this shaft was replaced with another obtained from our friends at the Cadeby Light Railway. However, attempts to locate a replacement gear at Cadeby were unsuccessful, so there was nothing for it but for Patrick Keef to find the original drawings and make a new one. One replacement thrust bearing was also obtained. Once the gearbox had been reassembled, a new chain sprocket was fitted.

Bob from Dorothea and Jerry from the squad had a hard time dismantling the engine, although after the struggle to separate them, they found the cylinders and pistons to be in reasonably good order. There was a note on both the cylinder blocks reading "cylinder block relined, overhauled, fitted with new piston rings", although no date was given. The cylinders were dispatched to Mersons of Hazel Grove to tidy up the bores and re-cut the valve seats. New piston rings were ordered from the Bradford Piston Ring Company in Salford.

In parallel with all this the camshaft had been sent away for re-profiling to remove the rust pitting which had occurred during the previous forty years whilst the engine had been standing. Also, new case hardened camshaft followers had been manufactured and were ready to fit. We also had a reconditioned carburettor, magneto and water pump on hand. The carburettor, as well as various other minor parts, came courtesy of the Festiniog Railway's spare engine. We are deeply indebted to Mike Hart for his invaluable support in this regard.

The radiator was overhauled free of charge by Grayson Automotive Products of Birmingham, so with all the parts available, Bob Banks from Dorothea set about building the engine up. By the following Friday it was in the loco frame and by the end of the weekend we had a running loco, and even Bob had to confess it sounded quite good. We then had the luxury of the next two weeks to re-fit all the bodywork, roof, doors (including new handles and catches), exhaust system, new toolbox and floor, engine controls, and do all the final painting, the final spraying being sponsored by Dorothea.

Of course, there's quite a lot more to be told.........