2015 Blog

December 2015

  • Horn grinding machine undergone successful trials
  • New front section of boiler barrel positioned and drilled
  • All steel firebox stays now removed
  • Majority of copper firebox stays drilled out

November 2015

  • Axle boxes drilled for brass rubbing plates
  • New smokebox assembled and door fitted
  • New front handrails fabricated
  • Front section of boiler barrel removed
  • Superheater header studs removed and threads re-tapped

October 2015

  • Fabrication of new cab completed
  • Last of the riveting on the frames completed
  • New smokebox sacrificial plate cut and drilled
  • Overhaul of blast pipe, regulator box and superheater header started
  • Majority of firebox stays now removed

September 2015

  • Smokebox inner door and baffle constructed
  • New cab structure ready for final riveting
  • Horn grinding machine built to first testing stage
  • Set of spring hanger pins fabricated

August 2015

  • Riveting of door ring to smokebox and hinges to door completed
  • Construction and trial assembly of new cab almost completed
  • All firebox stays removed from backhead and throatplate
  • New front running plate fitted

July 2015

  • New drain cock castings machined
  • New smokebox door fitted to smokebox ring
  • Sand boxes completed and trial fitted
  • Top beading and rear ducket fitted to bunker

June 2015

  • Fitting out of new smokebox commenced
  • Fabrication of new cab started
  • New front running plate fabricated and trial fitted
  • Majority of foundation ring rivets now removed

May 2015

  • Construction of horn grinding machine progressed
  • Internal motion components refurbished
  • Start made on removal of boiler foundation ring
  • Machining of new brake arm bearing cap castings starts

April 2015

  • Fire grate support brackets removed
  • Palm stays removed from boiler
  • Boiler rivet removal progressing well
  • Heads of all firebox copper stays cut off

March 2015

  • Left leading horn replaced
  • Riveting up of new left hand water tank almost completed
  • Refurbishment of brake vacuum tank finished
  • Valve assembly dismantled
  • New drain cocks machined

February 2015

  • Riveting of the second water tank begins
  • Dismantling of the boiler progressing
  • Machining of axlebox rubbing plate brasses continues
  • Slide bars refurbished

January 2015

  • Dismantling of the boiler started
  • Trial build of second water tank completed
  • Machining of axle box brass rubbing plates started
  • Construction of temporary boiler house completed