HISTORY OF 78018
Updated 21/10/200978018 is a B.R. Standard 2-6-0 class 2MT tender locomotive, built in 1953 at Darlington North Road Works at a cost of £14,809. With a life expectancy of 40 years. It was one of a class of 65, and entered traffic on March 3rd 1954, at West Auckland Shed (County Durham) this was soon followed by a move to Kirkby Stephen, working trains from Tebay to Barnard Castle (Stainmore Railway). It was while on this line that 78018 became "famous" by getting stuck in a "snowdrift at Bleath Gilll", during Febuary 1955, (this was all caught on film). It was then transferred to Chester Midland in April 1960, then in 1962 was sent to Workington. May 1963 saw it transferred to Willesden, then Nuneaton in September1965 and finally Shrewsbury before withdrawal on November 12th 1966.
78018 then spent 11 years 4 months at Barry scrapyard before being preserved at Shackerstone in November 1978.
Little work was carried out whilst at Shackerstone and it was resold to the Darlington Railway Preservation Society in 1981.
Since arrival at Darlington Restoration has slowly been taking place.
Due to limited funds and manpower the restoration of 78018 is still ongoing. The loco is now about 85% finished it just needs a final push and then she will be in steam once again. Please call in and see how the resoration is progressing.
Technical Details
Boiler Pressure :- 200lb/sq.in (Superheated). Cylinders (Outside) :- 2x 16 1/2" (Dia) x 24" (Stroke).
Tractive Effort :- 18513 lbf at 85% Boiler Pressure. Valve Gear :- Walschaerts, Piston Valves.
Wheel Diameters :- 3'0" (Pony) 5'0" (Driving). Weight :- 49.25 tons (Loco) 36.85 tons (Tender).
Axle Load :- 13tons. Tender :- B.R.type 3, Coal 4 tons, Water 3000 Gallons.
Latest News
19/10/2009. Another milestone reached.
Peter Horwood has been fitting the oil lubricating pipes and they are all now fitted. As can be seen in the pictures below it's not the easiest of jobs as all the pipes run from the two lubricators on the running boards to the various places that require oil such as the six axle boxes.
 |  19/10/2009. (Left) Peter bends one of the last lubricating oil pipes to shape. (Above) Peter solders the last of the oil lubrication pipes. |
 | 5/10/2009. During the last few months we have been preparing and having made a number of valves for 78018. A few have recently been fitted, 4 of these have been fitted in the cab, the top valve is the Blower valve below that is the Sanding valve, below that is Vaccum relief valve and to the left of that is the Steam brake lubricator. |
 | 24/9/2009. Paul shows one of our visitors, Mr George Harrison, 78018's rods,13/9/2009. |
 | 1/6/2009. The Boiler has been moved and track has been laid ready for 78018 to be fitted with it's brand new rods. |
25/5/2009.
78018's boiler was prepared for a small move, this involved lifting the boiler off the support it has been resting on and sitting it on a flat trolley. The boiler needs moving about 3 feet across the shed as it is blocking the doorway which we need clear to move the chassis forward to fit the rods.
 | 4/5/2009. We Have now made and tested the needles for the rods (see left). The Cab floor is now finished.
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21/3/2009.
Work at the moment being carried out is, boiler fittings are being trial fitted including the backhead cladding, and the timber cab floor is being fitted, also cotter pins are being made for some of the motion. Some of the rods were trial fitted as they were made brand new a number of years ago and have never been fitted.
 D.R.P.S. Chairman Barrie Lamb cuts another length of timber for the cab floor 2/3/2009. |  Barrie tries out the drivers seat for size 2/3/2009. |
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Trial fitting of the Eccentric Rods 16/2/2009.
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