Progress December 2024

Week One This week was a full one starting with taking the 541 tender tank fire iron rack out of storage,  lifting it into the coal space and then positioning it to drill the mounting  holes and bolt it into place ready for riveting. Alongside that, the closing panel for the coal space floor was cleaned and weld prepped  and was … Read More

Progress November 2024

Week Four This week has involved yet more of the same for the 4253 boiler crinoline team with sections of flat bar getting shaped, welded together,  drilled and, where necessary, the holes countersunk which, on long curved lengths is not that easy. However, more and more of the sections have now been successfully fabricated and trial fitted. Also, a batch … Read More

Progress October 2024

Week Four Tuesday started off with dressing back the previous Sundays’ welds on the side panels of the 541 tender tank and then getting the rear top panel turned over and carried inside for cleaning. The crinoline team were hard at work trial fitting the firebox bands while others were fitting the flanges for the blower and brake ejector exhaust … Read More

Progress September 2024

Final Week On Tuesday, there were many people working on the 541 tender tank with grinders to grind back the countersunk rivets retaining the door closing plates  and the lamp brackets and steps on the back panel  and to dress the welds between the front and rear side panels. Meanwhile, work continued on the ‘toilet seat’ part of the crinoline … Read More

Progress August 2024

Week Four During this week, a fair amount of progress has been made on constructing the crinolines for 4253’s boiler which is a hugely time-consuming task with numerous parts having to be cut, shaped, bent, welded and drilled. Band numbers 1 and 2 (starting at the smokebox end) are pretty well finished and trial fitted  along with the top longitudinal … Read More