Locomotive News - January 2012
Further developments from the ‘dark side’....
As we sit on the cusp of the New Year and the end of operating for six weeks, it is maybe time to take stock of where we are with the locos. W8 ‘Freshwater’, W38 ‘Ajax’, W24 ‘Calbourne’ and WD198 ‘Royal Engineer’ have been ‘winterised’. All locos will now undergo preparation for their boiler tests, set for the end of February and will also need ‘A’ examinations to be ready for next season.
Steam Locomotives
W24 ‘Calbourne’ is still in the workshop, although she made a brief appearance in the yard on the 27th December 2011 for her Birthday celebrations, which involved cake and pictures. We are awaiting the arrival of new piston rings to be able to move on with the V&P exam. The refurbished rear bogie springs have returned and the spare set of driving springs have gone away for refurbishment. A new bit needs to be made for the handbrake which includes the cutting of a square thread, and the new brake blocks have been fitted. The right hand coupling rod has been re-metaled and the left hand big end has been shimmed. ‘Calbourne’s mileage for 2011 is 3886.
‘Calbourne’s re-metaled Right hand coupling rod bush.
W37 ‘Invincible’ has also returned to the display siding for the winter period so we have some space in the yard. Preventive maintenance has been carried out on her this year and she remains in the same condition as before.
W38 ‘Ajax’ has, as already mentioned, been ‘winterised’ after a busy year. Next year she is due a hydraulic exam on the boiler, although not until around June when her current steam ticket runs out. Until the ‘cold’ examination, we do not know what the boiler inspector wishes us to do ready for the Hydraulic test. Mileage for 2011 was 2392.
W8 ‘Freshwater’ has been ‘winterised’. Mileage for 2011was 1555.
Progress on W11 ‘Newport’ has been picking up with the Sunday Gang now back in operation. Wheels have been painted into green and various other components into red or black. There has also been some riveting on the cab roof for the new patches, this was also used as a valuable training exercise for the Mechanical Engineering volunteers.
The Sunday Gang are back in operation!
Ivatt 41298 is yet to be started and is next in line for restoration after W11 is finished.
Ivatt 41313’s boiler has been painted and a new protective cover sheet fitted and is ready for the long trip back into Griffins Field Sidings.
41298 is next in line for overhaul.
WD192 ‘Waggoner’ has completed this seasons movements, including the midnight train at the turn of the year. Mileage for 2011 was 6051.
'Waggoner' in the Loco Yard ready for the New Year's Eve special.
WD198 ‘Royal Engineer’ has been sitting on blocks for what seems like an eternity, however, after an early morning start, to make the most of the light, a group of five, set about dropping her onto her wheels. This was completed by lunchtime, then she was then shunted onto the long pit beside the carriage and wagon shed. Once this was done we set about re-fitting the 2 refurbished springs and 4 normal springs. After this it was the turn of the brakes to go back on, although some of the 1 ¾ inch Whitworth nuts were very difficult to shift, even using the oxy-propane kit. This has all now been adjusted up and is operating correctly, although it will need further adjustment as the brake blocks bed in. The eccentrics and big ends have also been re-fitted as progress kicks on. The wheels are now being stripped to enable them to be re-painted to match the smart looking frames. The valves and pistons have been removed and inspected, pistons and valves are ok although new rings are needed and have been ordered. The valve spindles need grinding back into parallel as there is some wear on them. We have purchased a new ( to us!) tool post grinder which will be mounted on the big lathe. We will then need to make some new piston and valve packing and re-fit. We also need to make some valve chest cover tail bushes as the old ones are well worn, these are being made by our machinist at the moment and should be finished in the New Year.
'Royal Engineer' is lowered using the hydraulic jacks.
Diesel Locomotives
D2554 ‘Nuclear Fred’ has been started for the first time in a very long time, after the pump was sent away for overhaul, diesel was getting into the sump oil via the pump. She ran very well and further work is on-going to make her, once again, serviceable.
D2059 ‘Edward’ is looking forward to her wiring being looked at over the winter, as well as a few niggling faults that she has. She is currently operational and awaiting a 6 monthly exam.
D235 ‘Mavis’ has had a new set of oiler pads fitted and is operational within station limits.
Enginemen Wanted!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Engineering Department volunteers for their efforts throughout 2011. It is very encouraging that we have a new group of volunteers coming through and they have been working on various projects, including 198’s rebuild and the preparation of parts for No.11. It cannot be stressed enough the importance of volunteers to our organisation, especially within the engineering department. 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.
W8 'Freshwater' with the all-LBSCR train at Smallbrook on 27 November 2011.