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| 'Mighty Atom' joins the Sutton Collection at Cleethorpes | |
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| Topic Started: 3 Jul 2009, 10:01 PM (1,095 Views) | |
| Ben | 3 Jul 2009, 10:01 PM Post #1 |
Big Railway Guard
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Once upon a time, it was decided that a park near Birmingham might be a good location for a miniature railway, and so, in 1907 the line in Sutton Park was first born. Built to 10 ¼ Inch gauge, it was soon realised that the little locomotive could not haul enough people to meet demand. Once the 1907 season was over, the line was quickly re-gauged and extended to a gauge of 15 inch. Built especially for the newly re-gauged line was No. 11, a Bassett-Lowke Class 10 4-4-2 Atlantic, which was named ‘Mighty Atom’. The rest of the Sutton story is well documented in the book: ‘The Sutton Coldfield Fifteen Inch Gauge Railway’ by J.G.Tidmarsh, which incidentally has recently been revised and reprinted (details at the bottom). So let’s fast forward to 2001… Locomotives ‘Sutton Belle’, ‘Sutton Flyer’ and No.4, 10 coaches and many pieces of Sutton infrastructure, including buildings, are acquired from the Hunt Family, the final owners of the line at Sutton Park, by the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway (CCLR) with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund and CCLR Supporters Association Members. But one locomotive was not included in this sale. ‘Mighty Atom’, which had over the years become ‘Prince of Wales’, was to remain with Bill Hunt, former Sutton driver, and son of the Railway’s owner, Tom Hunt. Bill hoped that he might still be able to restore the locomotive himself, and so it was transferred into his new workshop in Leicetershire, as the old family Griffin Foundry had been sold off, and was about to make way for new developments. Onwards to 2008… Unfortunately for Bill Hunt, he had too many other commitments to even make a start of the overhaul of ‘Mighty Atom’. With 3 traction engines and a large fairground organ to keep running and maintain he decided it best to sell the locomotive, but the only place it could really go, was to Cleethorpes, to join the rest of the now operational ‘Sutton Collection’. At Cleethorpes we launched the ‘Atom Bonds’ bond issue to help us secure the locomotive. And finally on to today… With the locomotive now paid for, Steve Smith, Tom Brackenbury and I set off to Leicestershire to collect the locomotive. Once we arrived we met with Bill Hunt and Simon Townsend and we were shown the locomotive. The locomotive was quickly and quite easily loaded onto the trailer, with it still rolling very well after 56 years out of use. The tender was then loaded onto the trailer and was stopped gently by the handbrake as it rolled onto the trailer. We then took time out for a quick chat and to admire Bill latest completed project, ‘Wait & See’ a Burrell Showman’s Engine, in it’s striking yellow and cream livery. After saying our goodbyes, we headed back to Cleethorpes and after a quick cup of tea, the locomotive was unloaded and shunted into Griffin Hall. The locomotive will now be on display to the public while we catalogue all the extra bits and begin to raise money towards restoration. Watch this space…. On behalf of the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, I’d like to thank all the supporters of this project to date, and particularly Bill Hunt for his continued support in keeping the Sutton Miniature Railway alive. Now, the pictures:  The original oak framed tender, modified, like the engine was, many times since it's first appearance in 1908  Bill Hunt stands proudly next to the locomotive, shortly before it is loaded onto the trailer  'Atom' is now seen on the trailer, infront of Bill's beautiful showman's engine 'Wait & See'  Everything is now loaded, ready for the journey to Cleethorpes  Left to right: Me, Simon Townsend, Tom Brackenbury and Steve Smith, the team that went to collect the locomotive.  Chris Shaw and Simon Townsend stand by the locomotive which they have had a large part in securing.  A final shot, the locomotive rests in it's new home, Griffin Hall. As previously mentioned, a book, 'The Sutton Coldfield Fifteen Inch Gauge Railway' by J.G.Tidmarsh is now available form the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. The book documents the history of the popular little line in Sutton Park. It is priced at £5 or £7 including postage and packing. A second book, hot off the printers is 'The Sutton Coldfield Fifteen Inch Gauge Railway In Pictures' by J.G.Tidmarsh, this features many pictures of the S.M.R. as well as it's recent rebirth at Cleethorpes. This book will be available shortly... For information, or to purchase these books, please contact the CCLR: office.cclr@btconnect.com or 01472 604657. For more information on Bill Hunt's beautiful Showman's Engine: CLICK HERE Thanks for Reading Ben Thornhill Edited by Ben, 3 Jul 2009, 10:03 PM.
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Ben Thornhill NYMR Guard & Locomotive Cleaner CCLR Steam & Diesel Driver + Guard/Control CCLR & SMR Webmaster MRW Moderator http://www.suttonminiaturerailway.co.uk http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk http://nymr.fpic.co.uk 
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| rough-shunter | 3 Jul 2009, 10:12 PM Post #2 |
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Director
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A new chapter for mrmt to keep a tab on ! |
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JORDAN ASHLEY LEEDS Trains go into tunnels and come out but locos can go in sheds and never come out | |
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| steves100uk | 3 Jul 2009, 10:41 PM Post #3 |
Director
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Can I point out the Sutton Collection belongs to CCLRSA not CCLR. CCLR look after the running of the equipment. Steve Smith |
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| colinpeake | 3 Jul 2009, 10:48 PM Post #4 |
MRW Digest Editor
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And can I point out that this has nothing to do with MRMT, despite some of the same names being involved. MRMT will of course off any assistance requested! Well done to the team who collected her, I look forward to my next visit coastwards.... Colin |
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Colin Peake MRW Digest Editor Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photos | |
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| peterbryant | 3 Jul 2009, 10:48 PM Post #5 |
Director
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I would like to congratulate all involved in bringing the historic 'Mighty Atom' back into the limelight, it really is a treasure. Please do keep us updated with all the latest on the locomotives restoration. Thanks Peter |
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Peter Bryant MRW Webmaster and Admin Railway Web Services - http://www.railwaywebservices.co.uk MRW Hosted by 1&1 | |
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| cclrcleethorpes | 4 Jul 2009, 10:20 AM Post #6 |
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Cleaner
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Can I point out that the CCLRSA will be looking after the locomotive for the Bond owners until the obligations of the bonds are met. Please check facts before making comment! Edited by Ben, 4 Jul 2009, 08:42 PM.
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Running Weekends throughout the winter. Special visiting engine October 3rd & 4th 2009 Tank Engine Gala "Seaside miniatures railways at it's best" see www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk | |
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| rough-shunter | 4 Jul 2009, 12:16 PM Post #7 |
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Director
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I am aware that is nothing to do with mrmt however perhaps a follow on to the griffin hall project would be good ie a new board |
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JORDAN ASHLEY LEEDS Trains go into tunnels and come out but locos can go in sheds and never come out | |
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| daveholroyde | 4 Jul 2009, 07:04 PM Post #8 |
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Ticket Collector
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Well done all of you, the 4 Sutton locos are united once again. There will be a lot of enthusiasts who have never seen her and Griffin Hall is the ideal place to display her. Cheers , Dave |
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| colinpeake | 5 Jul 2009, 12:03 PM Post #9 |
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MRW Digest Editor
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 We actually pre-empted it and there is a board already there for Mighty Atom - indeed, it makes much more sense now!Colin |
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Colin Peake MRW Digest Editor Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photos | |
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| timbgray64 | 5 Jul 2009, 01:04 PM Post #10 |
Driver
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Very nice, any ideas on the timescale for all the sutton collection to be in steam/running? |
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Tim www.youtube.com/timbgray64 www.timgray.fotopic.net www.flickr.com/photos/timbgray64/ | |
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| Rhylmr | 5 Jul 2009, 08:44 PM Post #11 |
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Ticket Collector
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The timescale will be one appropriate for an old lady of this age. Especially seeing as how until now she has been conserved timelessly since 1953. I am sure that donations can be made payable to CCLRSA. Simon |
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| banksy | 6 Jul 2009, 04:33 PM Post #12 |
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banksy
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I really hope they properly rename her Mighty Atom as it sounds so much better than having yet another Prince Of Wales |
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| rough-shunter | 6 Jul 2009, 04:41 PM Post #13 |
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Director
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well it has been known for locos to have different names on one side i kn ow of one at embsay that is going to carry illingworth on one side and mitchell on the other perhaps food for thought |
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JORDAN ASHLEY LEEDS Trains go into tunnels and come out but locos can go in sheds and never come out | |
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| craiggluyas | 6 Jul 2009, 05:23 PM Post #14 |
Director
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Which is the other? Red Dragon only carries the Prince of Wales plates when she has been deputising for the then missing member of the Sutton collection. Or when Austin wants to confuse the Industrial Railway Society. Glad to see it out of store. As for what I'd like to see done, thats irrelevant as I'm not paying. Suffice to say, I hope a restoration to running order would not remove the fabric of what has been preserved for so long. Craig |
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Craig Gluyas Talking to one's self is a sign of madness. I talk to my imaginary friend. | |
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| AJcoulls | 6 Jul 2009, 05:48 PM Post #15 |
Operations Manager
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Indeed Craig, and in addition I'd hope for a full survey of everything that is left before anyone even takes a spanner to it. Really pleased to see it out, I last saw it in Hunt's Foundry 22 years ago and had no idea of its value then. Now I do, and it really deserves care and attention, as well as a lot of time. |
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I know where I can get an engine...any time I want | |
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