Dubs 0-4-0 crane tank built 1901,
number 4101
Above:
Dubs 0-4-0CT during a photographic charter at Shelton Works in 1994
Affectionately
known throughout its life as "Dubsy" but never actually named, this locomotive
was built by Dubs and Co of Glasgow in 1901 and delivered to the Shelton
Iron & Steel Works in Stoke-on-Trent. It remained at Shelton Bar throughout
its life and was used on various lifting jobs and rerailing locomotives
or wagons that had come off the track. Unlike many Shelton locomotives
which endured a hard life on a system of three continuous shifts per day,
the crane tank was only required on a single daily shift. The design makes
an interesting contrast to "Roker" which was used
for similar work. "Dubsy" has a more conventional lifting and slewing mechanism
on the crane, which has a single hook and chain. The crane cylinders are
4.5in diameter by 6in stroke, the jib radius is 14 feet 6 inches, and the
maximum load is 6 tons. Large dumb buffers are fitted, and photographs
show that the locomotive was often seen with an old flat wagon to avoid
the overhanging crane jib fouling other stock. "Dubsy" was originally coal
fired but was converted to oil firing in 1962. This modification prolonged
the useful life of the locomotive, but not by much as it was taken out
of regular use in 1968.
.JPG)
Above:
Dubs 0-4-0CT at Shelton in the late 1960s (cty Birch Holland Collection
BH135/36)
Purchased
for preservation in April 1970 by two members of the East
Somerset Railway, "Dubsy" was not moved to Somerset until 2 September
1973. The oil burning equipment was removed in 1977 and "Dubsy" returned
to service as a coal burner, giving almost nine years of continuous service
at Cranmore on shed pilot duties and a lot of lifting work, as the East
Somerset Railway was constructing its extension to Mendip Vale. Withdrawn
from service for overhaul in 1986, this was never carried out and eventually
the owners offered it for sale to private owners at Foxfield to reunite
it with ex-Shelton locos such as "Hawarden".
In the company of "Hawarden", "Dubsy" returned to Shelton for a memorable
couple of steam charters before the rolling mill closed. Although not in
steam, some burning rags in the smokebox and judicious posing of the crane
jib provided the right illusion.
Above: A
comparison of "Roker" and "Dubsy" at Caverswall Road station
Dismantled for restoration
on arrival at Caverswall Road, the target is to have "Dubsy" steaming
again for the Foxfield Gala in 2005. To give some indication of
the work required in restoration, the owners have supplied the following
summary of progress in early August 2004:
Boiler: fitted a new front section of boiler barrel, new tube plate, new firebox wrapper plates, reconditioned the foundation and fire hole rings, reconditioned the girder stays and replaced the crown stays. The boiler outer shell now passed and is ready to receive the firebox. The material is to hand for a new smokebox. Replacement of the main steam pipe is currently underway.
Frames: over 50 rivets replaced, wheels, journals and cranks machined, with work in progress on the axle boxes. Frames & wheels are finish painted and the valve gear is re fitted.
Jib, tanks, etc: work has yet to begin.
Technical
information:
Steam pressure: 160lbs
Cylinders: 14in x 22in
Tractive effort: 10,780 lbs (at 75% boiler pressure)
Wheel diameter: 3' 6"
Coupled wheelbase 6' 3"
Weight in working order: 34 tons 4 cwt
Water capacity: 400 gallons
Coal capacity: 5 cwt
Below: The crane assembly from "Dubsy" stands on Shelton double bolster 23, 3 April 2005
