62-521 stars on BBC South Today 26th January 2007

Interest continues to grow in the Disability Access Initiative project to rebuild 62-521 to USA Tank 30076. On Friday 26th January 2007 a crew from BBC South Today program visited Ropley to meet members of Project 62 involved in the work and also to meet a very special guest. Andrew Crawte, a member of the Mid-Hants Railway who is a wheelchair user, has had a life-long dream to drive a steam locomotive. Unfortunately he has been unble to do this because access to all the current UK heritage steam locomotives by people in wheelchairs is impossible. Andrew came along with Bob, his Dad, to see 62-521, meet the Project 62 members and to be interviewed by Tom Hepworth of BBC South Today.

Andrew told Tom Hepworth how our project will turn a dream, that exists inside the heads of many in his position, into a physical reality enabling all to experience the thrill and atmosphere of being on a steam locomotive footplate.

Whilst the BBC filmed round the site at Ropley and interviewed Andrew and Project 62 Chairman, Richard White, members of Project 62 started the first processes of dismantling 62-521 to prepare for her overhaul. A boiler inspector is checking over the locomotive on Wednesday 7th February so the smoke tubes were cleared by one team whilst another removed the steam turbo generator from the smoke box to get it out of the impending bad weather and into drier storage!

We really need your help to make 62-521 become the reality of 30076. To assist with the overhaul as a volunteer, or with a donation or part ownership of the locomotive to make this ground breaking project come to fruition, please email us at project62@supanet.com for more detail of how to help.

Project 62 members working on 62-521

The tubes are being cleared prior to inspection

The steam dome cover bolts are slackened. However these proved too tight on the day and require heat to shift

Richard White (left) with Andrew and Bob Crawte plus BBC cameraman Trevor and reporter Tom Hepworth

All photos are copyright of Project 62 unless otherwise credited. The image portraying "30076" in the page heading above is an artist's impression of the end result we hope to achieve. To buy a share in Britain's "Newest" Standard Gauge Steam Locomotive or to assist with a donation, email us at project62@supanet.com - many thanks.