Week Three This week has seen the completion of fabricating 4253’s steam pipe sections from the superheater header to the outside steam pipes. Various bits of straight pipe and elbows have been measured, cut, weld propped and tacked together to join the two and all that remains now is to fully TIG weld them. More of 4270’s pipework has been removed, … Read More
Final Week The last bit of welding up of 4253’s steam pipe covers that could be done with them bolted in place was finished after which they were taken down, the final bits that couldn’t be reached were welded and then it was all dressed back and, later in the week, refitted once again. The Lobo platforms round the loco … Read More
Week Four On 4253’s front end, the brackets that hold the plate sitting above the superheater header were modified as we need to lower the plate to avoid it arguing with the steam pipes from the regulator box and the external steam pipe covers had various lugs welded on to support the gland rings, holes drilled and then assembled on … Read More
Week 4 This week’s main job was riveting the floor plate to the outer angle on the 5164 bunker and then turning it upright so the rear ducket could be lifted into position and bolted to its brackets ready for final welding. After that, it was given another spray coat of undercoat. Meanwhile, another team was continuing with the fettling … Read More
Final Week Main task this week was removing the tanks from 4253 so we can get on with making the ‘elephant’s ears’ cladding between the boiler barrel and the front of the firebox. After most of the backhead fittings, pipework and cladding had been removed, the loco was pulled out into the yard, the cab was lifted off, followed by the … Read More
Week Four On Tuesday, 5164’s bunker work included welding a thin strip to the top of the centre baffle as it was sitting slightly lower then the two side baffles. The coal hole door slides were also bolted into place in preparation for riveting and all the rivets put in last week received a clean up to remove any traces … Read More
Week Four This week, yet more clever shaped cladding bits were cut out and bent and more cones for the washout plug areas were made. The driver’s side corner pieces have now all been made to below floor level so the end of this job is now in sight. We also trial fitted a few bits we’d made some years back … Read More
Final Week This week, Tuesday involved manning the sales stand at the Santa Specials, Friday was Boxing Day, so only Sunday was an on-the-tools day and, although we only had four people for that, it was a productive day. We started off by constructing a building bench for 5164’s bunker so we could work on setting out the floor panel, lifted … Read More