1. Having managed to load the Rapier onto the
semi-low loader, I had time to think of doing some filming, and so the first captured
vsnap in this section shows it leaving the scrapyard on the semi-low loader.
Moving The Rapier To Methil
Having bought the Rapier, we were faced with the difficult task of getting it to Methil. Hiring a semi-low loader was easy, but getting the crane onto it wasn't. In fact, even with the help of the scrapyard owners, it was so difficult I didn't really have time to film or take pictures, so this set of pictures starts with MDE238/8/11 already loaded.
1. Having managed to load the Rapier onto the
semi-low loader, I had time to think of doing some filming, and so the first captured
vsnap in this section shows it leaving the scrapyard on the semi-low loader.
2. Another shot of the Rapier as it moves up
the side road leading to the scrapyard we found it in. At this point it was only
fastened down by a few straps and chains - just enough to allow the semi-low loader
to move out of the scrapyard and let normal business resume!
3. Only a short distance into the journey the
driver stopped and finished the job of fastening down the Rapier to ensure a safe journey.
When filming it I accidentally hit the 'date' button on my camcorder, so this vsnap shows
clearly the date of the journey.
4. Under way at last, the Rapier sets out from
the outskirts of Kirkcaldy, and even after only a few yards on the main road, is busy
holding up traffic. As you can see this was a very bright day, and was actually one of
the hottest days of that summer, which inevitably meant I got a bad case of sunburn!
5. This vsnap is taken from the same location
as the last, but is a little blurred thanks to the speed of the semi-low loader. As can
be seen in this and in some of the previous pictures, the Rapier was missing all but one
of its removable body panels, which we couldn't find in the scrapyard. The only one we
did get was the curved one at the back, which we took off for the journey.
6. Same location again, but looking the other
way now after the semi-low loader had passed me. In this view the front of the Rapiers
turret can clearly be seen, along with the crane jib. We got some help during loading to
unfasten the jib from its derrick rope and lower it to the horizontal and we then chained
it in that position for the move. Even so, we came close to collecting some drooping
telephone wires later in the journey!
7. A shot similar to the last one, but after
I have zoomed a bit. The resulting vsnap, although very clear, isn't that great, but it
certainly has atmosphere!
8. As with a lot of the preservation moves I
have been involved with, keeping ahead of the item isn't all that easy, and this day was
no exception. Consequently, the next vsnap is taken at Methil, outside of the lorry yard
we use to store our preserved equipment, showing the Rapier passing Methil docks with a
far larger crane against the skyline!
9. The Rapier arrives! Typically I am having
to film from the shadow side, but I am used to that! At least the side on view against
the bright skyline shows clearly the shape of the Rapiers jib complete with a swan-neck
extension, which has almost certainly been fitted since long before its BR career ended.
10. A last look at the Rapier on the semi-low
loader before we unloaded it, taken against the backdrop of a fairly empty lorry yard
and the Kvaerner oil-rig construction yard. (The lorry yard was/is a busy place, but if
memory serves this move happened midweek when the lorries were out working.)
11. Inevitably I was too busy to film the
unloading, but here is a shot of the Rapier being pushed (slowly) toward the corner of
the yard we use, not being able to move under its own power. We later discovered that
as well as the main generator not working, the travel motors underneath needed repaired
as well (and I am sorry to say at the time or writing one is still not working).
12. The last lap of the push - my friend
Alistair nudges the Rapier into a suitable parking place. Now all we had to do was
restore it...
Disclaimer