Joseph Firbank 0-6-0ST No. 4 'Sharpthorn'
Sheffield Park, Sussex, UK 		Location: Bluebell Railway
Status: Cosmetic Restoration
Posted: Nov 11, 2024 @ 14:11:23 by Russell Newman
The ex Joseph Firbank Manning Wardle 1877 built K Class 0-6-0ST (Works No. 641) No. 4 "Sharpthorn", is now undergoing its much needed cosmetic restoration at in the Bluebell Railway’s Carriage and Wagon workshop at Horsted Keynes. Where work is underway to scrape back the paintwork and remove the surface rust using a wire brush. Once this initial work is complete, all exposed paintwork on the smokebox and saddle tank will be treated with a special rust-inhibiting paint. Also the Carriage and Wagon workshop at Horsted Keynes will replace the wooden buffers before moving the locomotive to Sheffield Park to complete the rest of the cosmetic restoration. Once restoration work has been completed, the historic saddle tank locomotive will be on show as part of a static display charting the building of the line at the Bluebell Railway’s Steamworks! exhibition.
Posted: Oct 28, 2023 @ 10:10:04 by Russell Newman
Over the winter of 2023 to 2024, the ex Joseph Firbank Manning Wardle 1877 built K Class 0-6-0ST (Works No. 641) No. 4 "Sharpthorn" will be moved from Horsted Keynes Station to workshop at Sheffield Park for much needed cosmetic restoration before going on display in the Bluebell Railway’s Steamworks in the sheds at Sheffield Park. Having been stored outside for a number of years, the locomotive has suffered at the hands of the out door elements and the cosmetic work planned will see the cab plate and roof refitted.
Posted: Dec 26, 2022 @ 05:12:18 by Russell Newman
After a number of years being outside on display the former Joseph Firbank Manning Wardle 1877 built K Class 0-6-0ST (Works No. 641) No. 4 "Sharpthorn" is to be moved from Horsted Keynes Station to Sheffield Park for undercover display in the Bluebell Railway’s Steamworks in the sheds at Sheffield Park. No. 4 "Sharpthorn" played a key part in the history of the Bluebell Railway as the locomotive was used in the construction of the Bluebell line in 1877 as Joseph Firbank was the contractor to build the Lewes and East Grinstead Railway which the Bluebell Railway runs on part of it still today.