2013 Blog

December 2013

  • Wasted section of right hand frame cut away
  • Right hand water tank rear panels drilled and trial fitted
  • Front tube plate removed
  • Cleaning of interior of boiler barrel commenced

November 2013

  • Wheels returned from South Devon Railway fully refurbished
  • Smokebox removed from boiler barrel
  • Rivets holding front tube plate in place all removed
  • Last of the steel panels for the right hand water tank purchased
  • New draw hooks obtained

October 2013

  • Left hand frame repair section welded in
  • Temporary construction area extended to take second water tank
  • Repair of third sandbox started
  • Left hand water tank dismantled and angle pieces cleaned and inspected
  • Removal of rivets holding smoke box to boiler barrel has begun

September 2013

  • Two sand boxes repaired and painted
  • All tubes now removed from boiler together with accumulated scale and debris
  • Left hand frame repair section tacked in place and slowly being welded up
  • Removal of the smoke box from the boiler barrel has commenced
  • Fundraising stall manned during weekend events at Bodiam and Robertsbridge

August 2013

  • Two sand boxes repaired and painted
  • All tubes now removed from boiler together with accumulated scale and debris
  • Left hand frame repair section tacked in place and slowly being welded up
  • Removal of the smoke box from the boiler barrel has commenced
  • Fundraising stall manned during weekend events at Bodiam and Robertsbridge

July 2013

  • Frames – damaged section at rear of left hand side cut out and repair sections for both left and right hand sides prepared and drilled. Remaining suspect rivets removed
  • Cylinders and valve chest area needle gunned and coated in red oxide
  • Good progess made on fabrication of right hand water tank
  • GWR 5668 prepared for its move from Blaenavon to Rolvenden

June 2013

  • Fabrication of right hand water tank commenced with plate being drilled
  • Lower intermediate stretcher riveted to frames
  • Brake cylinder strip down started
  • Rear drag boxes cleaned, rivets replaced as necessary and painted
  • One connecting rod acquired

May 2013

  • Pony truck frame cleaned and painted
  • Bunker fitting out commenced – handbrake column and oil boxes installed
  • Boiler support band reinstated
  • Crew steps completed
  • Boiler detube commenced
  • Steel for right hand tank ordered and delivered

April 2013

  • Bunker riveting completed with ducket (where rear lamp is mounted) now installed
  • Lower intermediate stretcher trial fitted, removed and riveted up
  • Crew steps riveted up
  • Right hand side tank totally dismantled and all angle pieces cleaned up for reuse

March 2013

  • Bunker almost completed with 1,147 rivets installed so far
  • Right hand water tank being dismantled after measurements taken. There are hundreds of rivets to be ground off here
  • Front and rear cab sheets prepared for riveting
  • Many more parts acquired including side rods and vacuum pump

February 2013

  • Bunker riveting continues with water space and coal floor now completed
  • Some 920 rivets are now in place
  • Wheels sent to South Devon Railway for tyre turning
  • Many new parts acquired and stored
  • Dismantling of side tanks has commenced
  • Grinding off of boiler tube ends in firebox prior to removal continues

January 2013

  • Lower intermediate stretcher manufactured
  • Rear frame tie manufactured
  • Parts acquired including axle underkeep and cab window frames
  • Cab steps manufactured – now awaiting riveting
  • Bunker riveting commenced – Floor and sides completed
  • Some 497 rivets now in place