Samson’s running trials begin…
Today the running and commissioning trials of Samson began at Beamish. Having made a static (in steam) appearance at the Great War Steam Fair, further adjustments have been carried out enabling the first day of testing to begin with the locomotive in full ‘trim’ and making use of the new triangle on the narrow gauge. A very successful day was had and whilst there are some further jobs to attend to, not least adding some weight to the front end, the locomotive behaved very well indeed.
Below: David Watchman made a short film of the occasion…
Below: Here are some stills… The opportunity was also taken to gather a large number of images to enable completion of the forthcoming book on Samson’s construction – whilst it did snow (!) the sun also shone…
Well done to all connected with “Samson”. Looking forward to the definitive book on this ‘new build’.
Samson looking absolutely fantastic – can’t wait to see her in action for myself!
Just out of curiousity, I note that SAMSON is works No.2 – what was Works No.1?
Hi Alex – the Steam Mule is BM1.
Incredible machining, detail and style built into one.
Engineer son all electronic gissmo kid not impressed but I am !!!!.
Thanks to all who were involved what a historic legacy for the future.
Dave Mitchell.
I notice the makers plate on Samson is shown as David Thomas Young No.2.
Was the same makers name given to The Mule?
Hi Sam. No, the Mule was built by a number of manufacturers. David overhauled what was reusable of the engine and built the rest, whilst the boiler was something we inherited. The chassis was built at the Bowes Railway by a contractor who rented part of the workshops there.
It is tricky to assign true build plates, Samson also being a collective effort. But as David carried out so much of the work (and created the design drawings) it seemed appropiate that it bore his name. The boiler is CE marked and carries a plate of manufacture for the Severn Valley Railway, though a lot of the assembly was carried out there by staff from Beamish. The wheels were assembled and tyred at Statfold Barn, but again using castings supplied by Beamish and which were cast from patterns made by David. Hope this helps?! Paul