The 4709 Group has reported that the next stage in the Night Owl project to recreate a Great Western Railway 2-8-0 4700 class heavy goods locomotive No. 4709 is the completion of its pony truck.

This is a massive and solid assembly that is close to the stage when its axle boxes can be fitted. Other parts are still being produced at various foundries and machinists, including the compensating beam, counterweight, and the equalisation beam, which includes the all-important pivot assembly.

Construction of 4709 is taking place at Tyseley in Birmingham, and has been underway since 2020.

The pony truck is the leading pair of wheels at the front of the locomotive, and is used to ease the locomotive into curves and reduce wear on the leading set of driving wheels. It also supports the weight of the front of the locomotive below the smokebox.

If everything goes to plan, the pony truck will be completed by the end of this year.

This latest update follows those in May, where work orders had been issued for machining the compensating beam, refurbishing the brake hanger bracket, and preparing to fit spring hanger brackets, and in July, which reported on work starting on the pony truck.

The group has also issued work orders for the manufacturing of eight springs, a complete smokebox and an equalising beam bracket.