This time, Talisman, sponsored by leading oil, lubricants and greases manufacturer Morris Lubricants, will be travelling along fifty miles of winding roads around the Lake District. The journey takes Talisman, which weighs an incredible twenty tonnes, has whopping seven-foot-high back wheels and has a top speed of 20mph, from Threlkeld Mining Museum to Alex’s workshop in Bouth, Cumbria. This challenge will be the Talisman’s first major pull since its reconstruction which was completed in 2019 and took over six years to build.
The journey through the Lake District, will take fifty miles and three days to complete, as it will be transporting a historic engine and trailer that weighs fifty tonnes. Alex will be ably assisted by none other than Morris Lubricants brand ambassador, TV presenter and engineering enthusiast Guy Martin, who was involved in parts of the original build.
There were only ever five Fowler B6 Locos built for the famous Norman E. Box haulage company in Manchester, with the most recent one built in 1931.
The tour will be raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, in honour of Alex’s dearly missed nephew Angus McIntosh, who sadly passed away after a lifelong battle with the genetic condition in 2018 at the age of 25.
Alex Sharphouse commented: “It was my lifelong dream to own a Talisman engine. To now be taking Talisman out on the road and raising money for a cause that’s so close to my heart with it, is one I’m looking forward to immensely.”
Alex continued: “We wouldn’t have been able to launch the original project without Angus, as he filmed and produced a video that we used to obtain the vital sponsorship that we needed to fund it. He travelled from Devon to Cumbria to do this. It will be an amazing experience to finally put Talisman through its paces and show people its capabilities, raise money for such a good cause and remember Angus on the journey. I hope he’ll be proud of the challenge”, before adding, “the project wouldn’t be possible without the help of Morris Lubricants. They helped us with financial support and supplied the oils, lubricants and greases for the original build and are continuing to do so in this one. We cannot thank them enough”.
For more information on Morris Lubricants premium quality oils, lubricants and greases head to: https://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/