Work on popular narrow-gauge locomotive Polar Bear has reached an exciting stage at Amberley Museum.

Polar Bear was the first steam locomotive to be used at Amberley Museum but it had to be taken out of service on October 29, 2022, with the expiry of its ten-year boiler certificate.

It needed a complete mechanical and boiler overhaul, including retubing and restudding of the boiler and a new main steam pipe.

Amberley Museum has now shared significant progress, saying the work has reached an exciting stage.

Polar Bear was the first steam locomotive to be used at Amberley Museum but it had to be taken out of service on October 29, 2022, with the expiry of its ten-year boiler certificate. Picture: Pete Edgeler

placeholder image — Polar Bear was the first steam locomotive to be used at Amberley Museum but it had to be taken out of service on October 29, 2022, with the expiry of its ten-year boiler certificate. Picture: Pete Edgeler

Volunteers have recently applied three coats of its distinctive bright yellow livery, bringing the engine’s historic character vividly back to life.

The smoke box wrapper is now securely clamped in position to achieve its final radius, ensuring a precise and lasting fit.

Matt Sampford has been given special recognition for his 'exceptional dedication' as he has driven the project forward. Additional thanks have gone to fellow volunteers John Stanton, Ian Howlett and Phil Barnes, as well as the museum’s engineering workshop, which has assisted with specialist components.

Polar Bear was built for the Groudle Glen Railway on the Isle of Man by W.G. Bagnall of Stafford in 1905, works No. 1781. The larger of two locomotives, Polar Bear remained in use until the closure of the line in 1962 and was acquired by the Brockham Museum Association in 1967.

Volunteer Matt Sampford working on the restoration of Polar Bear at Amberley Museum

The locomotive came to Amberley Museum with the Brockham collection in 1982 and the restoration that had been started at Brockham was completed.

Polar Bear was extensively rebuilt in the early 1990s, receiving a new boiler in time for a visit 'home' in 1993 to Groudle Glen, where Sea Lion, built in 1896, was back in use on the restored line.

Three subsequent visits took place in 1996, 2005 and 2016, and Sea Lion paid a return visit to Amberley in 2005. The Groudle Glen Railway has recently completed a replica of Polar Bear, named Brown Bear, using original drawings.

Following Amberley's successful fundraising campaign for extensive repairs to the 1918 Bagnall steam locomotive Peter, which came back into service after major boiler repairs in June 2022, a new appeal was launched to raise £25,000 for Polar Bear.