4253 Locomotive Company Limited

3 days ago

As winter returned this week, we still managed 4 days again on the projects.Tuesday, we continued with the cleaning of the other half of the bottom angle we removed from 5164 bunker which will be reused on the new build this also gives us the datum point for setting it all out to start the drilling process.More rivets were ground off the old bunker in our quest for other bits that are useful to use on the new one.When the bottom angle was cleaned, we then inspected and found a couple of dinks so we welded them ground them back and then it was primed, it’s in remarkable condition as it was put together in the 1930’s and we wouldn’t like the rivet counters spotting slight marks in the angle.Work on 4253 was in full flow with the crinoline team moving forward the sheets had the holes cut in them this to allow access to the mud hole door then when this was completed the bottom piece was drilled and then cold riveted on the sheet, we only have to repeat this 3 more times.Wednesday, we had an extra day due to shift work so most of the new bunker sheets were rubbed down to remove the rust build up and painted with a primer coat they look much better now we also moved the anvil into the shed this saves us moving cladding sheets all over the place and it will be easier for riveting the other 3 sheets at a lower level.Friday, we set to work on repairing some people herding barriers in conjunction with the W.W.Group which will save the K&ESR a lot of expense to replace them.The crinoline team took advantage of the sunshine and brought all their sheets outside for bending marking and cutting it was a hive of activity with thing going on and they still had time for a meeting as well they got done all they wanted too.We also took the opportunity to put 4253 cab down on pallets to allow our trestles to be used for drilling the new bunker plates when we get started .Sunday we spent much of the day measuring and checking what is correct or not on the bunker kit and marking out where the paint needs to come off for welding the strips on.After much head scratching and setting out, we finally got to the stage of being able to start drilling bits next week to begin the assembly process of the bunker we have established the back panel is unfortunately wrong this is in hand to rectify.The back head plate for 4253 was got ready and the first rivets were put in, we cut up the strips for the bottom of the cladding sheets for the crinoline teamMore work was completed on the mobile barrier repairs we have undertaken to do in conjunction with the W.W.Group they now have all been repaired and ready to be used again.Thanks to one and all who helped this week to keep things moving. ... See MoreSee Less

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4253 Locomotive Company

1 week ago

3 very varied days this week working on the 3 projects 4253 .5164. Gervase.Tuesday the team were hard at work either grinding off rivets from the bunker of 5164 we believe some are 1933 vintage or drilling through the countersunk rivets that have been flattened off to allow us to blow them out.While this was all going on Gervase’s boiler arrived from where it had been repaired and hydraulic tested and passed also the cladding has been fitted.We lifted the boiler off the lorry and started to lower it on to the footplate this is a very tight fit with the lifting frame fitted it was put on blocks till we can get it into the shed under the lifting gantry.The final fitting will take place in a few days’ time as we will have better control in lowering into place with the gantry hoist as the clearance is measured in fag papers not sure if its red or green thickness.The crinoline team continued their work on the cladding sheets and marking out for final cutting.The team had a success removing the centre back angle then we had to split the 2 bits from the old baffle plate which proved very time consuming indeed.Friday, we continued with rivet removal and the completion off the middle angles which were then cleaned and primed and are in very good condition .Working in our outside workshop in the sun we had an erection of a parasol to stop the metal getting too hot and melting of the workforce, at one time we thought we heard a woodpecker but it was only the crap being knocked out of old rivets.The footsteps from the bunker that we cut out to reuse on the new one have now had the 3 ton of weld removed and the repairs done cleaned and now look resplendent in grey primer waiting to be refitted on the new bunker.Sunday was 5164 bunker day we set off just wanting to get the bottom angle rivets ground flat and with 3 people on grinders from first thing great progress was made.We then got our rivet buster out and had to put it back together moral of the tale don’t lend tools to others.We got the rivet removing gun working and tried to see if the vintage rivets would play ball and come out of the bottom angle and to our surprise some started to move so a frenzy ensued of grinding and drilling some pilot holes in the centre of some rivets and ou, they came.So just after lunch the first bit was removed and the cleaning team moved in and after the heritage rust had been removed, we have a bright shinny angle fully reusable for the new bunker.The second section was removed as well and will be cleaned next week ready for use and is in just as good condition.Lots of other grinding of rivets took place and had holes drilled just in case we need to blow them out at a later date.Other works done today included all the lamp brackets were de-rusted and had a coal of primer the fire iron rack was removed and cleaned up for reuse ,the front sheet for the bunker was moved inside as well.Thanks to all who helped this week keeping things moving. ... See MoreSee Less

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LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY LIMITED

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