Season 1
7 episodes
4 min. per episode
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A passionate engineer battles time and setbacks to revive a legendary steam locomotive, igniting nostalgia and camaraderie along the way.
Episodes
To celebrate our 150th anniversary, 'Morris Lubricants' has launched the "Talisman Tour". This has seen Alex Sharphouse of 'Old Hall Farm' building a 'Talisman B6' Steam Road Locomotive from scratch. He's got some help from friend and 'Morris Lubricants' brand ambassador, Guy Martin. So make sure to keep an eye out and see when the 'Talisman' will be steaming to a town near you.
Alex Sharphouse started with a dream, to recreate 'Talisman', a 'Fowler B6 (Big Lion) Road Locomotive', the 'King of the Road' of its era, capable of hauling loads in excess of 100 tonnes. This is an ambitious project, as the last time this engine was built was in 1931 so he was going to need some assistance along the way. With the help of good friend Guy Martin and long-time supporters 'Morris Lubricants' the journey to recreate 'Talisman' could begin. Watch this 6-part series to see Alex and Guy pull together this epic project. In Episode 1 of "How to Build a Steam Engine" Alex and Guy go over the initial challenge that is ahead of them.
In Episode 2 of "How to Build a Steam Engine" With the plans now in place, it's time for Alex Sharphouse and Guy Martin to start the Herculean task of manufacturing all of the individual components of 'Talisman' - which once completed and assembled, will transform into the iconic shape of this famous road locomotive.
In Episode 3 of "How to Build a Steam Engine" With the boiler now complete, it's time for Alex and his team to begin constructing the wheels. These need to be designed, cast, and built from scratch, before being sent to a specialist facility to be rubbered. Building wheels to the scale, strength, and accuracy needed for an engine like 'Talisman' is no mean feat, and Alex Sharphouse and Guy Martin have certainly had their hands full on this job.
In Episode 4 of "How to Build a Steam Engine", With the wheels now successfully rubbered, Alex and his team can return to the workshop to get them fitted to the engine. This is an exciting stage for the project, as it really begins to feel like 'Talisman' is coming together.
In 2013, a project began of monumental proportions. With Alex Sharphouse as the driving force and help from long term supporters 'Morris Lubricants'. The aim was to build a recreation of 'Talisman' a 'Fowler B6 Big Lion' Road Locomotive. These were the 'King of the Road' of its era, capable of hauling loads in excess of 100 tonnes. Now Alex's journey to re-create 'Talisman' has been captured in a mini-series of films called 'How to Build a Steam Engine with Morris Lubricants'. Alex is joined by Jack and Roger Dibnah (sons of the late, great Fred Dibnah) and brand ambassador for 'Morris Lubricants' Guy Martin, who also lent a hand. The last time one of these steam engines was built was way back in 1931. Watch the progress of the build and see if Alex makes it in time for 'Morris Lubricants' 150th anniversary celebration at the Shrewsbury Steam Rally in 2019.