D1013 lifted for first time in over 50 years!

Saturday, 31^st August 2024 was a big day for the Western Locomotive Association (WLA) and for its Class 52 diesel hydraulic locomotive, D1013 Western Ranger.

For the first time in over 50 years, D1013 was lifted on the jacks at the Severn Valley Railway’s Kidderminster Traction Maintenance Depot and its “B” end bogie removed – the overhaul of D1013’s bogies being one of the last major tasks in the locomotives on-going major overhaul.

It is the WLA’s plan to return D1013 Western Ranger to service in 2025.

Bogie work will include the replacement of springs, spring hangers, pedestal brackets, cardan shafts plus a brake cylinder overhaul. Of course, there will also be the need for a thorough inspection, not mention the decades of brake dust etc to be scraped off the bogie and underframe.

A copy of the WLA's Press Release can be seen by CLICKING HERE.

The WLA is grateful to all those who have contributed towards the bogie overhaul costs, raising almost £40k through D1013’s Bogie Appeal Fund. This remains open as there will be many unexpected costs as the work proceeds. The Bogie Appeal Fund can be seen by CLCKING HERE!