Gresley N2 No. 1744 Overhaul Update

The Weybourne Works are continuing to progress the overhaul of the N2 on behalf of the Gresley Society, the owners of the locomotive. The Society has reached an agreement with the NNR who will complete the overhaul which will see the locomotive remain on the NNR for an extended period.

A schedule of work needed to complete the engineering elements of the overhaul and development of the re-assembly is being prepared to indicate the costs and projected timeframe to return the N2 to steam.

Recently the NNR placed an order for the manufacture of two new expansion links and die blocks which are components of the internal Stephenson 2 inside cylinder valve gear. Once complete the new links and die block will undergo heat treatment to harden the metal and will then receive final grinding to the size of the pivot holes and the curved shape slot of the links.

No 1744 is the oldest Gresley locomotive still in existence. The agreement with the Gresley Society should ensure the N2’s future as a working locomotive for many years to come.

Further information on the N2 No 1744 can be found on the website of the Gresley Society see www.gresley.org where there is an appeal for further funds by joining their N2 Overhaul Completion Club.

Gresley Class N2 No. 1744 at Weybourne awaiting the next stage of its overhaul

View of the Stephenson internal valve gear awaiting the replacement expansion links and die bars