4253 Locomotive Company Limited

3 days ago

The work goes on just 3 days this week on 4253, Gervase and 5164 .Tuesday the team stripped down the bits from 5164 bunker that had been assembled at the weekend to allow us to start drilling the angles for riveting that hold it all together. The reconditioned electric hoist went back up on the gantry much easier with buttons than a chain block and tackle for lifting plates .The bunker floor plate had the paint stripped off to allow the welding that needs to be done and the big angle was needle gunned and a lot of noise was generated. We had a drill sharpening teaching session with a new machine that one of our team purchased for us we also ordered a new pillar drill as our old one is no more after giving sterling service for years.The other major job done was getting Gervase’s boiler lowered into position and bolted down this had to be done under a gantry as the limited room going through the floor it needs to be perfectly vertical to miss the blow down valve studs this was done by Michael assisted by the shed staff.More work was done on the old bunker trying to remove the bits we want to reuse on the new one for 5164.The crinoline team were hard at work getting the cladding bits to fit and they still had time for a couple of meetings as well .Friday the team were hard at work on the bunker cleaning of paint off for the welding team to start glueing bits on the front sheet was rubbed down and reprimed after the angle was drilled and trial fitted.The crinoline team were marking and cutting the cladding sheets and they made the fixings for the covers that go over the mud hole doors and of course the daily meetings took place as well. We waited for the new pillar drill to turn up when asking for an AM delivery there always seems to be a temporary deafness bug going around or is it only us, still it turned up at the customary PM as is the norm it was moved into the bunko booth ready to go into service.We then put the bits of the bunker together ready for the front to be trial fitted and other bits marked out for drilling .Sunday the team embarked on welding the bottom angles to the front sheet both sides of the bunker so we could mark the holes and start the drilling process we drilled some holes today to allow the front panel to be held in place it’s all starting to come together. We expect delivery of the replacement back sheet next week then we can get cracking on the back and the corners as well. The angles for the shelves section on the bunker were cut to fit and marked out ready for drilling next week .More from the crinoline team the 2 mudhole door covers had the holes welded up as they were worn and would not keep shut on the bolts when fitted.The back head sheet from 4253 had more rivets put in today its getting near to completion.A section of concrete floor in the boiler house was dug up to allow a plinth to be laid to our new pillar drill to be bolted down to allow its commissioning to take place other works done was a new pipe rack put up as well.Thanks to all who came and worked this week on the projects. ... See MoreSee Less

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4253 Locomotive Company

1 week 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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LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY LIMITED

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