The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) is looking for volunteers to help us complete the second phase of their project to conserve two Sentinel locomotives at Coalbrookdale. The two Sentinel Shunting Locomotives, which date from the 1860s, are historically important parts of the Trust’s collection. They were used by the Coalbrookdale Company on their internal railway system, were modernised and converted by the Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd in the 1920s and are now the oldest locomotive conversions by Sentinel that are known to have been preserved.
In 2023 IGMT secured funding from the Association for Industrial Archaeology to carry out work to conserve the engines, whose condition had deteriorated over time due to weather conditions. Work on one of the Sentinel locomotives has already been completed and new volunteers are now needed to complete the second stage of the project.
Requirements:
- Volunteers who can commit to a half-day on Fridays between September and December.
- The role will require a reasonable amount of physical activity and working outside (though under some cover) in all weather.
- No specific qualifications are required but the work will involve wet and dry cleaning; priming bare iron; painting; and if appropriate carrying out some minor repairs.
- Volunteers regularly receive questions from members of the public interested in their work and will be asked to take photographs to help record the progress of the project.
This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people. If you would like to volunteer with us or know someone who you think would like to be involved get in touch with me or with Sharon Sinclair, Volunteer Officer, volunteering@ironbridge.org.uk.
Industrial Heritage Networks 