Locomotive News - December 2011
2011 has seen another successful operating season for the locomotive works; we started the season with only three serviceable locomotives, W8 ‘Freshwater’, W24 ‘Calbourne’ and WD192 ‘Waggoner’, and managed to finish with four as W38 ‘Ajax’, having had new mud-hole doors made and fitted before a successful steam test, joined the operational fleet later on. We are now well into the time of year when our staff and volunteers can switch from the everyday job of operating trains and focus on the repair and restoration projects that are currently on-going. W8 ‘Freshwater’ and WD192 ‘Waggoner’ will provide the motive power for the winter services this year as they are both fitted for steam heat.
O2 Class W24 ‘Calbourne’
W24 ‘Calbourne’ was removed from service after the Autumn Gala to undergo a Valves and Pistons (V&P) examination. With the valves and pistons removed, measurements show that the bores are within tolerance for a mainline steam locomotive. The piston rings however, are worn a little thin, thus making the gap between the ends a little oversize. When you consider that this set of rings has done some 42,000 miles it is hardly surprising. The valves seem ok, but will need further measurement to make sure they are within the required tolerances. New brake blocks have been delivered and will be fitted when the V&P examination is complete. We are still awaiting the arrival of a repaired set of springs that will also require fitting.
The ‘Terrier’s
W8 ‘Freshwater’ has been in service throughout the season and has appeared at both spring and autumn galas and the Summer Steam Show. The right hand piston gland was re-metalled and re-packed mid-season, which greatly improved 'Freshwater’s performance. With the return to service of LBSCR Brake Third 4168 we have once again been able to field an all-LBSCR train with W8 at the head of the three Brighton bogie coaches. Progress on W11 ‘Newport’ has been slow as some members of the Sunday Gang have been otherwise engaged with footplate duties during the main running season. Now that the railway is a little quieter they hope to be able to carry on with the overhaul.
W38 ‘Ajax’
W38 has now been withdrawn from service and parked in the Display Siding for the winter, the usual procedure as she is unable to deliver steam heat for the trains and so not normally used during the train heating season. ‘Ajax’ has had a busy season this year, performing admirably with only a couple of problems. The Brick Arch collapsed and was soon repaired over a washout period, then the mechanical lubricator failed; the pawl (A hinged or pivoted device adapted to fit into a notch of a ratchet wheel to impart forward motion or prevent backward motion) in the lubricator had worn down, so a new one was made.
W37 ‘Invincible’
‘Invincible’ has also returned to the Display Siding for the winter period to make some additional space in the yard. No work has been carried out on her this year and she remains in the same condition as before, requiring the broken spring hanger to be repaired and some boiler work to be carried out before returning to service.
The Ivatts
41313’s boiler has made an appearance in the Goosefield Sidings as the cover sheet was torn beyond use earlier in the year. The younger members of the Sunday gang have been wire brushing the exterior and giving it a protective coat of paint. When finished, a new cover sheet will be fitted and it will return to Griffins Field Sidings.
46447 has also been brought around to the loco yard for some preventative maintenance work before being moved back to Griffins Field Sidings.
Work on Ivatt 41298 has yet to start, this locomotive is next in the overhaul queue and will be dealt with once W11’s overhaul is complete.
WD192 ‘Waggoner’
Following routine maintenance, ‘Waggoner’ will be the main service locomotive for the Winter timetable.
WD198 ‘Royal Engineer’
‘Royal Engineer’ has been sitting on blocks for what seems like an eternity now, work has now started to prepare the frames for re-painting. Once this is complete, the engine will be dropped onto her newly turned wheels. The axle boxes, with new oiler pads, have been fitted ready for the drop. Whilst paint scraping on the right hand frame we found reference to the 1960 major overhaul at carried out at Bicester, stencilled onto the frame behind the rear steps and the buffer beam. This has been authenticated by reference to 198’s archived service records, which hold the details of that overhaul. Once back on her wheels ‘Royal Engineer’ will undergo a V&P examination. We are anticipating that new piston rings will be required as the existing set have covered over 49,000 miles!
Diesels
Class 05 D2554 ‘Nuclear Fred’ was started for the first time in a very long time on16th September, after the fuel pump was sent away for overhaul; diesel had been getting into the sump oil via the faulty pump. The engine ran very well, further work is on-going to make ‘Nuclear Fred’ fully serviceable.
Class 03 D2059 will have it's electrical system examined and repaired where necessary during the winter, a few other niggling faults will also be attended to. D2059 is currently operational.
Barclay No.235 ‘Mavis’ has a new set of oiler pads on order and remains operational within station limits.
Enginemen Wanted!
A number of new volunteers have joined the team over the last few months, it's good to see that they are now finding their feet and getting involved in various engineering projects. The Sunday Gang is in action once again, working on the overhaul of W11 ‘Newport’. Since the last Locomotive News Steve Smart has been passed out as a Driver and a number of our Locomotive Cleaners have completed their practical training and been passed out as Firemen; congratulations go to Tony Dragonetti, Charlie Lemon, Roger Millward, John Woodhams and Peter Taylor.
We are always keen to attract new volunteers to the Mechanical Engineering team; there is always much to do, we have numerous engineering restoration and maintenance projects underway and there is the option of training to become a member of our locomotive footplate crew. If you would like to join us please contact the railway’s Volunteer Coordinator, who can arrange a railway safety induction followed by an introduction to the Mechanical Engineering Department.