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
Week Three On Tuesday, we continued with the drilling of the smokebox where, given the rarity of a very sunny day, the temperatureinside it reached 42º before the guys called it a day. The cleaning up of both the superheater header and the cylinder block saddle was completed after which they received a coat of heat-resistant paint. A blanking plate was … Read More
A tremendous thank you to everyone, past and present, who has bought shares, merchandise, contributed financially or volunteered their time. We are here because of you . . . and the final hurdle begins now!
As some shareholders may have seen on our weekly Facebook page, the boiler has passed its boiler inspector’s hydraulic test with 260 psi showing on the gauge. Another very major milestone! Download and read the story below.
Week Four This week, 4253’s boiler was filled with water for the first time in 60 years for its initial hydraulic test which took the pressure to 260 psi. There were a few leaks that need addressing but no surprises there given the amount of repair work that’s been undertaken. As it’s return it now imminent, the superheater header has been … Read More
With the 50th Kent & East Sussex Railway Gala in full swing at Robertsbridge Station, Sunday 2nd June saw the announcement of a new investment in the 4253 Locomotive Company by the Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust. On behalf of 4253, Chairman Charlie Masterson thanked Rother Valley Railway Trustee Richard Broyd CBE for the Trust’s further substantial financial input to … Read More