2003/04 Overhaul Archive - August 2003
Note added on August 8 2003. In the September 2003 issue of 'The Railway Magazine' it is stated that the boiler overhaul is complete with the boiler being ready to returned to the frames. I'm afraid not, as can be seen on this page. We are making excellent progress but we are not there yet.
August 30/31 2003
No photographs this week as I had no access to a digital camera.
Work has continued on the preparation of various parts for painting etc. A start has been made on cutting the new cladding sheets to shape using the old sheets as templates.
The top of the centre cylinder casting has been cleaned up with the removal of rust etc. The cleaned up surfaces have been given a coat of paint. The underside of the cylinders have been needle gunned but there is some way to go yet until this awkward and dirty job will be complete.
In the week a little bit more boiler work has been undertaken. A few more tubes have been fitted. Meanwhile on the outside of the firebox areas under particular stress have, after several months wait, been tested to ensure there are no cracks etc. I am glad to say the firebox passed with flying colours.
August 23 2003
Most of the working party, including the webmaster, were elsewhere as it was Bank Holiday weekend. Thanks to Colin Henderson for supplying the details and photos.
Basically it was a case of more preparation and painting. In the week some more small tubes were fitted.
12 small tubes are in, seen from the firebox end. August 23 2003 © Colin Henderson
Looking from the smokebox tubeplate this is the view with the first set of small tubes in. August 23 2003 © Colin Henderson
The tender coal space doors were given an undercoat by Alex Hayes (left) and Dave Fuszard. August 23 2003 © Colin Henderson
The centre cylinders were prepared for a coat of paint and replacement insulation. The axle visible is white from magnetic particle testing a few months ago. August 23 2003 © Colin Henderson
August 18 2003
Basically it was more of the same. Lots of painting, rubbing down and more painting.
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Chris
Brown prepares the tender coal space doors for a coat of paint. August
16 2003 © John Salter |
The cladding pieces expertly shaped to fit the front of the firebox have now been given an undercoat. August 16 2003 © John Salter
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Something
was clearly funny, perhaps it was the photographer ? From the left Steve
Underhill, Dave Fuszard and Leon Salter. August 16 2003 © John Salter |
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Colin
Henderson more or less seemed to be in the same place as last week doing
very similar things. His shifter collection has also not moved. August
16 2003 |
Painting inside the frames has continued as has reassembly of certain items such as gland packings (but minus the actual packing material.)
This view of the freshly painted frame stretchers is looking towards the centre cylinders. The crossheads and slide bars are clearly visible. The pipe on the bottom right is part of the braking system. August 16 2003 © Colin Henderson
A closer view of the inside right crosshead minus connecting rod and gudgeon pin. The valvegear is driven from the inside crossheads. Freshly painted is the combination lever whilst the union link remains to be painted.. August 16 2003 © Colin Henderson
In the week the first boiler tube, one of the small tubes, was fitted.
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The
first tube is in but not finished when this photograph was taken. August
16 2003 © Colin Henderson |
A few weeks ago the superheater flue tubes arrived. These are stored ready to be fitted.
These are all the new flue tubes with the bottle ends welded on. This end of the tube screws in to the firebox tubeplate. August 16 2003
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A
better view of the welded on bottle ends of the flue tubes. August 16
2003 |
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A
few sections of the boiler required needle gunning. Principally this meant
the foundation ring. This was left in the capable hands of John Salter.
August 16 2003 |
August 9 2003
Temperatures at Tyseley were well in to the thirties today. The reported maximum in the Birmingham area as 34c. Far too hot for most of us ! As a consequence less work than normal occurred, it was replaced by trying to keep cool and hydrated.
What did happen, however, was more rubbing down and painting of this and that. Preparations for retubing took place in the boiler and some backhead controls were refurbished.
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This
is an injector steam feed valve dismantled for cleaning up and checking.
August 9 2003 |
Graham Hopes paints inside the frames. August 9 2003
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Lots
has happened on the boiler. All the washout plugs are back in, as are
the mudhole doors. Also back on is the gauge glass, regulator stuff box
and the blower valve. August 9 2003 |
Also back on the boiler is the blowdown valve. August 9 2003
John Salter (left) and Tim Watson lift something heavy in the tender. August 9 2003
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Your
webmaster removes a rubber gasket from one of the tender air vents. August
9 2003. Thanks to Colin Springthorpe for taking this. |
A good turnout, and this wasn't everyone ! From the left Kevin Blake, Alex Hayes, Leon Salter, Colin Springthorpe, Huw Button, John Salter (sitting as per normal) and your webmaster. August 9 2003 © Colin Henderson
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Alex
Hayes rubs down a cladding sheet in readiness for another coat of paint.
August 9 2003 © John Salter |
Lurking inside the sweatbox, sorry smokebox, is Huw Button doing something or another. August 9 2003 © John Salter
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Sat
down on the job Tim Watson cleans up one of the coal space doors. August
9 2003 © John Salter |
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How
to finish off a working party on a very hot day. Doing the Tyseley boys
a favour we loaded coal on to the digger. On the left Lawrence of Arabia
assists Steve Underhill. Not much more happened after we had finished
this job ! August 9 2003 |
August 2 2003
Most work again concentrated on the preparation of various bits and pieces for painting. Many cladding sheets were rubbed down, primed and rubbed down again. The same happened to the smokebox which had been painted the previous weekend. This is now more of less ready to get a coat of undercoat.
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Colin
Henderson sorts out some air hose but seems more keen to get his picture
taken ! August 2 2003 |
In the week Steve Underhill has completed all work outstanding on the boiler that was preventing retubing.
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With
the exception of retubing and screwing on the new stay nuts the boiler
is virtually finished ! On the left Colin Henderson and Steve Underhill
look in through the firehole. On the right is what they will have seen.
August 2 2003 |
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The rebuilding of the tender coal space has taken a big leap forward with the final piece of platework now being in position. Final welding of the seams will now take place to finish the job.
Almost there. The sloping back to the coal space, the final piece outstanding, has been welded in to position. August 2 2003
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More
bits of cladding looking for some attention from wet and dry paper and
paint. August 2 2003 |
Inside the smokebox the regulator cover studs and bolts have been renewed.
Viewed from below this is the regulator cover on the superheater header. All the nuts have been replaced with new stainless steel ones. August 2 2003
Prior to the start of retubing the boiler was washed out with a pressure wash. The amount of needle gunning etc that has taken place in the last months had loosened any scale adhering to the boiler and firebox sides.
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Huw
Button holds the ladder as Steve Underhill pressure washes the inside
of the boiler. On the right is the flood and shower caused by this ! August
2 2003 |
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Steve Underhill drains some water out of the boiler with the aid of a short piece of pipe. August 2 2003
From the right Steve Underhill, Graham Hopes & Kevin Blake discuss something about a tin of paint. August 2 2003
Kevin Blake rubs down a piece of cladding from the firebox side. August 2 2003
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This
is as far as Steve Underhill got with this tray. Being confused by what
to do he left it here for your webmaster to sort out. August 2 2003 |