In May 2014, a shunting move to get rolling stock out of the Smeaton Road shed and into the rebuilt ‘Barn’ saw Fox, Walker and Sons No.242 (NCB No.3) out in the open air. This loco had new bearings fitted before the rebuild of M Shed in 2006, so is a rolling chassis and can be moved around.

The photos also give an indication as to the condition of the loco, and the scale of any restoration that might take place.

These pictures were taken by Michelle Scoplin of the Create Centre and appear here with her kind permission.

The Coles crane is moved out first as part of the shunt

With the crane out of the way, the Ruston couples up

‘For Sale’ – very funny!

Pinholes in the tank give an idea as to the thickness of the metal

The view from the Ruston’s footplate as it drags the Victorian locomotive out

Gently eased out on to the running line

Out on the New Cut – the furthest the loco has been in a long time