Progress May 2026

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 the bench for a trial fit.

The lower sections of the elephants ears continue to be fettled to get a good fit

and we rolled the doubling plate that will fit under the top firebox cladding sheet to give more support for the whistles

after which it was cut to size,

drilled and then riveted onto the cladding sheet.

GWR 4270 has now arrived at Rolvenden. It was loaded up from Margate,

moved to Wittersham Road where it was oiled up

before being unloaded onto the track

and then pulled to Rolvenden.

Week Three

Work on the firebox cladding’s elephants ears continues (no big surprise) with extension pieces being added to close the gap between the ears and the boiler cladding. This involved much measuring,

the cutting out of odd, shaped pieces of steel,

getting it into position and clamping it,

tacking the extensions into place

and, finally, trial fitting them.

Once satisfied with the positioning, the extensions were both fully welded up in situ.

A start has also been made on the throat plate section of cladding which has been trimmed to size and currently has a couple of bolts temporarily welded on the face to provide handles for getting it into position.

At the smokebox end, the regulator box was lifted into position

and bolted up so we can check there are sufficient clearances for everything as this area has quite a lot packed into it. The new brake ejector pipe had plenty of room but, when the main steam pipes from regulator box to superheater header were added, this revealed that the steel plate that sits above the header was too high. Thus, the retaining brackets will need modifying to drop it and the plate itself needs trimming to clear everything.

Work continues on the external steam pipe covers with the bottom packing rings being marked for the retaining holes

which were then drilled out and threads tapped into them.

Week Two

The work on 4253’s elephants ears cladding is finally coming down the home straight after having been trial fitted, marked, taken down, cut and/or reshaped and put up again innumerable times. Sometimes the trimming could be accomplished in situ (with the motion parts covered up to stop crud and dust getting in)

although, more often than not, it had to be taken down again to achieve.

Components for the main steam pipes were machined

and the brazing up of the brake ejector pipe was completed.

We also started the process of rubbing down the tanks for another coat of paint.

The 36 ton steam crane had the last of the large mudhole doors lifted out and the boiler given a good flush out in readiness for its inspection

plus the stabilising legs were all extended and given a good clean and oiling so they now all move freely.

The 5164 bunker is virtually finished now with a bit of painting done were the ducket was welded on last week and the coal space getting a coat of bitumastic.

Week One

The 5164 bunker is almost finished now with the rear ducket getting welded and riveted on as Tuesday’s first job. As it was a bit windy, we had to provide a windbreak as the MIG gas was getting blown away from the workpiece.

The fire iron brackets have also been welded onto the front shelf.

On 4253, the majority of the elephants ears cladding has now been finalised with a good fit achieved along the top and three quarters of the way down the sides.

We’ve also made the joining strips to attach the bottom side sections to the rest.

More boiler blanking plates have been made and fitted with the one covering the main steam manifold on the top of the backhead having a hose connection in the centre to enable filling for the next hydraulic test. This also, if course, required a hole to be punched in the gasket.