Bert Hitchen To Restore Fr No. 25

摘要

Bert Hitchen has purchased one-time Furness Railway 0-4-0 No. 25 from David smith of West Coast Railway Company. Built by Sharp Stewart in 1865 (works number 1585) as a tender loco, it is a sister of FR No. 20, owned by the Furness Railway Trust. Both were converted to 0-4-OST form (No. 25 being converted in 1873) but while the FRT rebuilt No. 20 back to its original form in an award-winning restoration completed in 1999, No. 25 has remained in saddle tank configuration, stored out of ticket at Carnforth. Although only recently confirmed, the sale was agreed several months ago. Bert Hitchen, owner of 'Black Five' No. 45231 The Sherwood Forester, is understood to intend to restore No. 25 to steam in its present format.