A sad Beacons Field

[James Attwell]

Some of the famous locos left at Kimberly. Many not in a great condition. 16E 858 and 25C 3511 are also suffering.

[Jez Smith]

I am disgusted to see that 858 is now in the open. When I visited in Winter 2007, she was safe in the old steam shed. Does anyone know why such a rarity is now exposed to the elements?

[Luca Lategan]

As the old steam shed is now used for diesels and coaches there is some activity, but not a lot. When 858 and 3511 was still in the shed it was under cover, but it was being stripped very badly (unfortunately by the Spoornet crews most of the time). There are very little left in the cabs of these two locos. There was also big fencing around the locos, but only on three sides so that didn't help very much.

During November 2007 they were removed from the shed like every other year so that the shed could be cleaned. A great rackup was made about this and it was decided that 858 and 3511 would be moved to the Steamnet 2000 area at Beaconsfield where Peter Odell keeps a regular eye on them. Burglar bar type things was fitted to both locos to protect them from further threats. A hive of bees has now found a new home in 3511's firebox so that should keep unwelcome visitors away. All chimneys are closed with sail, but unfortunately the tarpaulin that Steamnet stole for use on 3511's tender was stolen back again and the insides doesn't look too good. The huge fans still turn so everything isn't lost, if a new tarpaulin can be fitted further deterioration can be stopped (any donations?).

There is still some (I know about one) loco(s) in the shed, but it is not nearly as significant as abovementioned locos.

See photo's taken 13 July 2009