Week 1 On Tuesday the team were at Tenterden Station putting up the gazebos, running power lines and setting up the display tables etc in preparation for the start of the Santa Specials at the weekend. Friday it was back to working on 5668’s water tank. The rear cab section was lifted into position and bolted down for the final time and … Read More
Week Four Tuesday saw most of the team spending the day drilling holes in the tank top panels plus drilling and tapping the stud holes for the side inspection plate. All the baffle angle pieces were bolted into place for the final time and all the holes reamed ready for riveting. The Railway’s apprentice, George, started machining some bolts for 4253’s … Read More
Plug the Gap! Dave Dee Commemoration Bench Washout and Fusible Plugs Locomotive Update Locomotive Tank Rebuild Update Boiler Report Christmas Present Ideas
Final Week During the week work continued on making the various parts for the water level gauge. We are missing a section of top trim for the tank so a start was made on making that and the regulator boss was cleaned up and, after a lot of effort, the studs for the packing gland were removed as being too … Read More
The date for the unveiling of the Dave Dee Memorial Bench has now been set for Sunday 10th October at Rolvenden, 1.30pm for 2pm and all are welcome. Week Four On Tuesday, all the weld preps were done on the rear panels of 5668’s tank and then it was off to Wittersham Road to remove the couplings from 5668 which involved … Read More
Sales stand and tombola back in action Weald of Kent Steam Rally Piston Power! Boiler Report Regulator Cylinder Pressure Relief Valves
Final Week On Tuesday, the slide bars were cleaned and re-oiled to ensure the crossheads move freely in preparation for fitting the piston rods to them. The remainder of the cylinder cover pressure relief valves were tested, set and fitted to the covers which then had their mating surfaces cleaned up ready for re-fitting. Finally, the superheater header and regulator box … Read More
Week Four One loco off the to-do list this week as 6619’s boiler is now fully revealed and awaiting the boiler inspector’s visit. During Tuesday and Friday, 5668’s tank had the top panels bolted into place and reamed as necessary. Others were on the long task of annealing the ends of 4253’s tubes (with this shot clearly showing the furnace) cleaning … Read More
Week Four Another full week working on 4253, 5668 and 6619. Tuesday saw 4253 moved from road 2 to road 1 in the shed which is the first time she’s moved with all the inside motion connected up and, thankfully, there were no issues. Work continues on the machining of the pressure relief valves. Meanwhile others were grinding and assembling more of … Read More
