Week Three

Tuesday saw the largest sections of 4253’s boiler cladding getting manoeuvred into position so they could be marked before getting taken down again for trimming.

Meanwhile, others continued with the dismantling of 5164’s bunker which involved grinding off yet more rivet heads

and, for the ducket section removed last week, knocking out the rivets holding the interior support brackets 

so they could be cleaned up and the rust removed before receiving a coat of primer along with the breather pipe which will be reused.

On Friday, the trimmed cladding sheets trimmed earlier were once again hoisted onto the boiler to check the fit

after which we started on the template for the ‘elephant’s ears’ being the corner pieces that will join the boiler and the front firebox cladding pieces.  More of the cladding bands were cut to length and the joining bracket ends cold riveted into place.

More rivets were ground off 5164’s bunker and all the new platework parts and brackets were laid out and the floor section moved into our workshop.

On Sunday, the top and bottom sections of the driver’s side firebox cladding sheets were welded together before being taken down again for the weld to be dressed and painted.

The steps were cut out of the fireman’s side of the bunker with the plasma cutter

and then carefully separated from the plate work as these will be reused.

The centre ‘T’ section of the ducket beading was too badly corroded to be reused so this was cut away and a new piece will need to be shaped, drilled and then welded to the underside of the beading.

We also laid a couple of girders on the workshop floor and positioned the new bunker floor plate on it followed by making a start on bolting various parts together to ensure the pre-drilled holes in plate and brackets are in the right place and everything aligns properly – so far, so good.

Week Two

No Update This Week

Week One

The week didn’t start well as we were clearing the yard in readiness for the removal of the 541 tender tank when we got a call to say the Hiab lorry had broken down so the tank’s departure has been delayed by a week. Accordingly, work was redirected to Gervase where the painting team finished the cab, including the floor, 

and undercoated the running plates.

Also, one of the lubricators was stripped down for cleaning.

Meanwhile, the cladding team were continuing with the firebox panels, measuring, 

cutting

and drilling the lower side sheets ready to be welded to the upper sheets at the weekend.

Come Sunday, they got welded together 

and then taken down again for the weld to be dressed.

On Gervase, the side and rear panels were rubbed down and given their first top coat

while the engine had all the valves ground in

and the gear wheel from the original exhaust camshaft was fettled to fit the camshaft from the spare engine which was in far better condition.

We were also advised that Gervase’s boiler passed its hydraulic test last week so, hopefully, will be with us soon for installation.