2003/04 Overhaul Archive - February 2003

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February 22 2003 Another day of good progress. The seemingly endless task of needle gunning the firebox and boiler continued. To help break the monotony time was also spend needle gunning the second stage spark arrestor cage bodies and the double blast pipe. A few holes appeared in the blast pipe, a Swindon original, but it is hoped to be able to repair it for another 10 years of use. On the chassis the remaining outside rods and crossheads were removed. A start was made on dismantling the inside motion and more brake piping was removed. In a few weeks time the chassis will head over to the wheel drop to allow all the driving wheels to be dropped. The support coach is due to leave for a C4 overhaul soon. In preparation for this all kitchen equipment was removed to a new location at Tyseley that will prove a fine replacement for our second home.

During the week the Vehicle Inspection Body and boiler inspector visited and were very pleased with the condition of the boiler specifying very little work on top of what was already planned. Also the ashpan and flue tubes were sand blasted. The ashpan, not surprisingly, requires some replating but is other OK. The flue tubes are now not to be re-used due heavy pitting in certain areas.

Photos credited as appropriate. Cheers John & Colin for supplying them.

Leon Salter with his favourite tool - the needle gun - on the driver's side of the outer firebox. Progress was slow due to the large amounts of breaks taken to watch your webmaster needle gunning the blast pipe.... February 22 2003

Leon Salter with his favourite tool - the needle gun - on the driver's side of the outer firebox. Progress was slow due to the large amount of breaks taken to watch your webmaster needle gunning the blast pipe.... February 22 2003 © Colin Henderson

And this time maybe doing something... (but it didn't last for long) February 22 2003 © John Salter

And this time maybe doing something... (but it didn't last for long) February 22 2003 © John Salter

The blastpipe before needle gunning. January 25 2003 © Martyn Bane
The blastpipe before needle gunning. January 25 2003 © Martyn Bane

Not a bad finish at all ! Starting to look like new again the partially needle gunned blast pipe casting, with the needle gun on top, during a brief break for photographic purposes. February 22 2003

Not a bad finish at all ! Starting to look like new again the partially needle gunned blast pipe casting, with the needle gun on top, during a brief break for photographic purposes. February 22 2003 © Colin Henderson

Your webmaster pretending to be busy needle gunning the blast pipe. February 23 2002 © Colin Henderson

Your webmaster pretending to be busy needle gunning the blast pipe. February 23 2002 © Colin Henderson

Back to work. Permission was not given for this to be taken ! February 22 2003 © John Salter

Leon Salter helps move the contents of the support coach kitchen but can't resist stopping (again). February 22 2003 © John Salter
Leon Salter helps move the contents of the support coach kitchen but can't resist stopping (again). February 22 2003 © John Salter

Looking very dismantled after just 20 odd days work. No rods, crosshead or brake gear. February 22 2003

Looking very dismantled after just 20 odd days work. No rods, crosshead or brake gear. February 22 2003 © Colin Henderson

From the left - connecting rod with gudgeon pin (far end), front coupling rod and crosshead as removed from the fireman's side. February 22 2003

From the left - connecting rod with gudgeon pin (far end), front coupling rod and crosshead as removed from the fireman's side. February 22 2003 © Colin Henderson

A close up of the fireman's side crosshead and cylinder end of the front coupling rod. February 22 2003

A close up of the fireman's side crosshead and cylinder end of the front coupling rod. February 22 2003 © Colin Henderson

February 16 2003 More good progress has been made. The small boiler tubes have been prepared for scrapping whilst the flue tubes are now ready to be sand blasted. Once done they will be assessed to see if they can be re-ended and re-used. The ashpan is also ready to be sand blasted prior to any repairs required being carried out. Needle gunning the boiler continued whilst the safety valves and clacks were removed to allow access to the inside of the boiler barrel. On the chassis the motion etc has continued to be cleaned prior to dismantling whilst both the rear coupling rods have been removed. A fair bit of time was taken up with more mundane house keeping tasks like sorting out just what selection of nuts and bolts we have spare.

A few more pictures all from the camera of Colin Henderson.

With all the tubes out the smokebox tubeplate looks in excellent condition. Visible inside the boiler barrel is the steam collector and the longitudinal stays. February 16 2003

With all the tubes out the smokebox tubeplate looks in excellent condition. Visible inside the boiler barrel is the steam collector and the longitudinal stays. February 16 2003 © Colin Henderson

And at the other end the firebox tubeplate plates looks fine too. February 16 2003

And at the other end the firebox tubeplate plates looks fine too. February 16 2003 © Colin Henderson

Looking towards the firebox showing, at the top, the longitudinal stays, the steam collector and above them are the trays that sit underneath the feed water. February 16 2003

Looking towards the firebox showing, at the top, the longitudinal stays, the steam collector and above them are the trays that sit underneath the feed water. February 16 2003 © Colin Henderson

Looking the same way as above with a good view of the water side of the firebox tubeplate. Just visible are the crown stays. February 16 2003

Looking the same way as above with a good view of the water side of the firebox tubeplate. Just visible are the crown stays. February 16 2003 © Colin Henderson

From on top of the firebox the safety valves and clack valves are clear as are the riveted joins in the boiler barrels sections. February 16 2003
From on top of the firebox the safety valves and clack valves are clear as are the riveted joins in the boiler barrels sections. February 16 2003 © Colin Henderson

A close up of the joint in the front section of the boiler barrel and the joint between the two sections of barrel. February 16 2003

A close up of the joint in the front section of the boiler barrel and the joint between the two sections of barrel. February 16 2003 © Colin Henderson

Despite appearances this is actually the ashpan with four flue tubes alongside taking a trip down the yard thanks to Richard Corser, behind him Roger Fox and on the left John Salter, doing his best to hide. Any resemblance to a tank is purely coincidental. February 16 2003

Despite appearances this is actually the ashpan with four flue tubes alongside taking a trip down the yard thanks to Richard Corser, behind him Roger Fox and on the left John Salter, doing his best to hide. Any resemblance to a tank is purely coincidental. February 16 2003 © Colin Henderson

February 8 2003 On the chassis work centred on removing the brake gear, preparing to remove the outside rods, removing the sanding gear and cleaning up removed items. Some items, such as the firehole flap plate, were given a coat of protective paint. On the boiler removal of the flue tubes was completed and a good start made on removing the small tubes. Outside needle-gunning of the firebox made good progress with no nasty surprises being revealed so far !

After the days' work we adjourned for the 6024 Christmas party (always had after Christmas !) An excellent time was had by all. Thanks to Angie for organising it. No pictures to follow !!

February 6 2003 The boiler was successfully lifted out of the frames ready for a full inspection and overhaul. With the boiler out the bottom end overhaul can now begin in earnest.

Below are a few pictures taken shortly after the boiler was lifted. Colin Henderson has the © for the images.

The wooden stands are adjusted before the boiler is lowered in to position. February 6 2003

The wooden stands are adjusted before the boiler is lowered in to position. February 6 2003 © Colin Henderson

Gently does it... Almost down. February 6 2003

Gently does it... Almost down. February 6 2003 © Colin Henderson

Not the sort of surprise we wanted to find lurking in the boiler... Smiling for the first time ever Steve Underhill peers out of the firehole door. Off centre towards the bottom of the backhead is the location of the blow down valve and the hole to its right would normally be occupied by a mudhole door. February 6 2003
Not the sort of surprise we wanted to find lurking in the boiler... Smiling for the first time ever Steve Underhill peers out of the firehole door. Off centre towards the bottom of the backhead is the location of the blow down valve and the hole to its right would normally be occupied by a mudhole door. February 6 2003 © Colin Henderson

The boiler sits behind the rolling chassis offering a good view of the smokebox saddle. To the left is the boiler from 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe. February 6 2003

The boiler sits behind the rolling chassis offering a good view of the smokebox saddle. To the left is the boiler from 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe. February 6 2003 © Colin Henderson

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