MAROONED!

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In the build-up to our forthcoming EXTON PARK REVIVAL event on 27th May 2013 which commemorates the 40th anniversary of the closure of ironstone quarrying in Rutland, the engineering team have undertaken to repaint DE5, the Janus locomotive which once worked over the quarry system.

When the development team began work on the locomotive yard rebuild it was inevitable that many of the large locomotive exhibits would be stranded as the intervening trackwork was removed. Little did they think that the volunteers would further MAROON  the large 440 horse power Yorkshire Engine Company locomotive DE5 with a comprehensive repaint and makeover.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, a team of ten volunteers cleaned, stripped, sanded and prepared the locomotive which was repainted in its original ORE MINING BRANCH maroon livery, complete with red buffer beams and rods, black rims and frames.

A further session mid-week saw the marker lights removed, cleaned, painted and replaced to bring the locomotive close to its original appearance.

We now intend to complete the cosmetic restoration by replacing its coupling rods, recently refurbished in our workshops, apply lining and lettering and arrange access to the cab for visitors at the event.

The popular and highly relevant locomotive is not in operational condition at the moment but visitors could be excused for being mistaken such is the transformation to the exhibit.