My next project (i hope) - Fordson tractor!!

[Roger Whittle]

Are any of these projects built; rebuilt; restored; repaired because there is a profit to be made. I think not. It is one, thin, justification for spending long hours and lots of money; 'because you can get a good price for it'.

A project recently completed which seems to be a monumentally pointless exercise - if viewed objectively - is Gresley Class A1 'Tornado'. This is the first all new steam railway locomotive built in Britain in about forty-five years. It isn't a massive rebuild of a scrap loco - no 'heritage' parts whatever are used. It isn't a 'replica' of one of the 49 previous A1s, it is as if time stood still for 45 years, then restarted with a few new, modern ideas to build number 50. It has cost some £3 million and I doubt if any steeam preservation society could afford it on the open market. And, given the fickle nature of the railway operating companies and their attitude to steam locos, I doubt if this loco is going to be earning its keep every weekend of the year.

And yet, and yet ..... what a beautiful beast. I will definitely try to get a look at it in the future. Brilliant project - pointless, but wonderful.

Roger.

[series3100]

That's a Dexter, but bear in mind that it would only be worth less than a grand in working condition . We sold one last year in very good condition and it made 1500 quid so be prepared to spend loads and loose lots when you eventually sell it.

As i have said its not the sort of thing im looking to rebuild then sell - rebuild and keep is more like it. similar to my land rover really, even if it means at somestage i have to cover it up and put it in a barn for 15 years...

Exactly my thoughts too. It is comforting to note that we are not alone in this regard. Suckers for punishment we are. There's no time to go to work with all these projects!

We should start a club 'The suckers for punishment Club' or 'The SFPC' sounds good too!

Are any of these projects built; rebuilt; restored; repaired because there is a profit to be made. I think not. It is one, thin, justification for spending long hours and lots of money; 'because you can get a good price for it'.

A project recently completed which seems to be a monumentally pointless exercise - if viewed objectively - is Gresley Class A1 'Tornado'. This is the first all new steam railway locomotive built in Britain in about forty-five years. It isn't a massive rebuild of a scrap loco - no 'heritage' parts whatever are used. It isn't a 'replica' of one of the 49 previous A1s, it is as if time stood still for 45 years, then restarted with a few new, modern ideas to build number 50. It has cost some £3 million and I doubt if any steeam preservation society could afford it on the open market. And, given the fickle nature of the railway operating companies and their attitude to steam locos, I doubt if this loco is going to be earning its keep every weekend of the year.

And yet, and yet ..... what a beautiful beast. I will definitely try to get a look at it in the future. Brilliant project - pointless, but wonderful.

Roger.

As you say, people dont do this sort of thing for making money, its because of interests, hobbies and the sake of heritage.

Brian

[RUXY]

Yours truly at the GO lever.















When Brown and Co. can find Billions to bale out the fat cat bankers and their lackies, no government donation, no lottery fund , it takes over 15 years of private donations that would otherwise have been spent on baccy & booze - still a free country how people spend their money and the best example to children of how GB lost its "Great" when we sunk shipping,heavy engineering etc. and became narrow focused on "The City" and debt capital locked into housing

[purp751]

On the plus side fordson dextas and majors are still popular on the classic/vintage tractor scene so parts are very readily available and they are one of the easier ones to restore I believe, try Classic tractor magazine for parts suppliers or usually various bits on ebay

[series3100]

Yeah I had a quick browse on ebay to get an idea of how available parts are and there does seem to be a good selection it not too unreasonable prices which is good.

Brian

[fergie2035]

If you can get it for nothing, take it because its always worth something either to break for spares or as scrap even if you don't restore it. Breaking for spares and selling the residue for scrap is the only way you'd make money on it but I know its not about the money.

From what I can see, if it were running ok you'd need a bonnet and grille, mudguards, rear linkage, seat and rear tyres. It will cost but those things can be found new and secondhand and its not rare so there will be some about. Most mechanical parts are available. It all costs money and probably quite a bit. You could easily spend £2000 on it and its often cheaper to just buy one in good condition. But if you consider the rebuilding as a hobby and get satisfaction from saving another one from the scrapman, that's fine.

First thing to do is see if the engine will turn. Then either put a battery on it or tow it to start it to see what works and what doesn't. Get it well warmed up so you can assess whether the engine needs work or not. Make sure you get an oil pressure gauge on it when its warm. If it doesn't have a lot of blow-by and has some oil pressure when its hot it might be worth doing. If it needs an engine rebuild that adds a lot to the cost.

Check out Tractor and Machinery Magazine. You'll see adverts in there for restored ones to get an idea of prices and also ads for spares. Remember that the prices you see are what people would like to get for them and not what they sell for. Its probably worth £300 + to a breaker to split for spares.

[cadfael]

Funny thing about the Dexta, in forward gears, the engine runs smoothly, but put it in reverse and it then goes didi-dum-didi-dum as if it was missing the fourth cylinder!
Mike.

[Kitform]

We should start a club 'The suckers for punishment Club' or 'The SFPC' sounds good too!

Tell me about it...Nearing completion of an old JCB digger.