2003/04 Overhaul Archive - March 2004

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March 27 2004

A major milestone was passed in the week. The official hydraulic boiler test was undertaken in the presence of the society's boiler inspector John Glaze. It passed with flying colours. Next will be the live steam test.

6024's newly passed boiler is on the left. To the immediate right is the boiler from 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe and to the right of this is 6990 Witherslack Hall's boiler. The narrow gauge boiler in the foreground is from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway B Class 0-4-0 ST+WT No.778. March 27 2004

Last Sunday the tender frames were given a top coat in black whilst the tender buffer beam was also given a coat of paint. During the day this was given a second coat.

Back in red - this is the tender buffer beam before getting a second coat of paint. Also note the newly painted air brake taps and parts of the steam heat system. March 27 2004

Having also been painted once last week the ashpan was given a second coat of micasious paint.

The ashpan ready for the next coat of paint. March 27 2004

Most work happened up around the workshops. The running plates were given another coat of paint whilst outside the shed the boiler, now drained after the successful hydraulic test, was prepared for the steam test.

Steve Underhill heats up a nut before removing it to allow the stud to be examined and the thread cleaned. This stud is one of several holding the grate supports in place. Once these studs have been serviced and the ashpan mounts checked the grate can be re-fitted. March 27 2004

Time for a cuppa ! From the left - Richard Corser, Keith Clarke, Henry Coates, Hugh Button, Leon Salter, John Salter and Keith Lines. March 27 2004

One of the main tasks for the day was cleaning up the paint work on the rear driving wheels making them ready for a re-paint. A lot of this task was completed but there is still some way to go before they can be painted. The springs for this wheelset are likely to be delivered in about two weeks time so we have a little time to get them ready !

Scraping the old paint from the rear drivers are (from the left) Keith Clarke, Leon Salter and your webmaster. March 27 2004

One rear tyre face was wire brushed clean and primed. The axle was similarly treated.

Your webmaster and Keith Clarke painting the rear wheelset. March 27 2004

And two final pieces of good news. The society's water carrier is about three weeks away from being finished by Rampart in Derby whilst the support coach is almost finished as well. This is being overhauled by Lancastrian Carriage and Wagon Works.

Machining the rear driving wheels has been completed. Once the springs are back on site and the wheel set is removed from the wheel lathe we hope to be able to get the wheels back in the chassis. This will be a major step forward allowing a lot of components which are already overhauled, such as brake gear,to be put back on the chassis. Quite a bit of work was undertaken on the chassis but most of this was preparing, and painting, the running plate. The sections of the frames around the rear driving wheels are already finished.

Leon Salter rubs down the front right hand splasher. March 20 2004

Mick Carr rubs down the front left hand running plate before giving it a coat of paint. March 20 2004

Work also continued preparing the internal surfaces of the cab roof and side sheets for painting.

All the axleboxes on the chassis were filled with oil and the corks, where necessary, were replaced.

Since the last report the inside of the tender has been professionally painted with a marine paint to protect it from corrosion. Last time around this did a fantastic job.

A view into the newly painted tender via the filler hole. Note the sacrificial anode also there to prevent corrosion. March 20 2004

The ashpan was also given a coat of special rust proofing paint. A coat of black micasious paint has now been applied to give it a bit more protection. The damper doors are also getting the same treatment.

The undercoated ashpan. March 20 2004

Huw Button gives the ashpan a coat of micasious paint. March 20 2004

Dave Fuszard paints the back surface of a boiler band. March 20 2004

The tender brakes which were being reassembled last time were finished off with lots of persuasion from heavy implements.

No news this week. Several regulars were off doing railway things in Somerset allowing everyone else to have a weekend off.

At last the weather has warmed up a bit making it possible to do things without freezing to death ! However there was a smaller than normal turnout this weekend. Despite this good progress was made.

The tender got quite a bit of attention; mechanically it is nearing completion. An unused drawhook for the tender has been donated to the society. This was prepared for fitting. The last of the axleboxes were checked over and found to be in good condition. The new brake blocks were also fitted.

The brand new tender drawhook. March 06 2004

Keith Lines in his natural position - stood about chatting - was apparently fitting the new cast iron tender brake blocks. March 06 2004

A shunt in the workshops found the chassis still undercover but in a totally different position to last week. A couple of unfortunate souls were banished from the shed to continue preparing the splashers and running plates for their next coat of paint.

Your webmaster rubs down the front left hand side splasher. The chassis behind is 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe. March 06 2004

Various other parts were given a paint during the day such as the boiler bands which it had proved impossible to paint in the cold last weekend and several parts of the backhead cladding.

Alex Hayes (left) and Dave Fuszard worked on painting various pieces during the day. Here Dave has just finished a piece of backhead cladding. March 06 2004

His first day back after a few weeks of working abroad finds Huw Button making stupid poses already ! Here he is working on the gauge frame protector. Non-GWR enthusiasts note this is the one and only gauge frame protector - GWR locos only ever had one gauge glass and a set of test cocks. March 06 2004

Perhaps the biggest milestone of the weekend was the successful preliminary hydraulic test of the boiler. With only a few minor weeps from various fittings requiring attention it was smiles all around. It will not be long now until the official hydraulic test in the presence of our insurance inspector will be carried out. Once it is the 10 year ticket will be ticking away !

The hydraulic pressure was pumped up manually, not an easy task. A substantial amount of the hard work was carried out by Leon Salter (left) and John Salter. March 06 2004

		Gradually the pressure went up ! It was taken to 350psi. March 06 2004

Steve Underhill nips up one of the manifold fittings which was weeping a tiny amount of water. March 06 2004