Week Two This week started with removing the regulator box from 4270’s tube plate which involved levering it off the studs onto the digger’s forks and then reversing the digger back to extract it from the smokebox. After that it joined more bits of removed running plate to receive a good steam clean and check over. The atomiser was found … Read More
Week Four The stripping down of 4270 continued this week with the superheater header getting the one remaining sealing ring removed after a bit of a fight followed by cleaning it up and then giving it a coat of heat-resistant paint. After that it was a case of checking the studs and running a die nut down them all to clean … Read More
With great sadness we have to report the passing of our friend and colleague Colin Edwards today. He passed away peacefully with his family in attendance. A very long-standing member of the Kent & East Sussex Railway and, before ill health overtook him, a valued and experienced volunteer on the 4253 restoration project. R I P Colin.
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