December Update

It is hard to believe that twelve months have now gone by since our friend John Whitcomb passed away. Time has flown by this year, despite all of the problems. Well here we are, Christmas is over and we are starting a new year. The railway is running down to the end of the season and the winter maintenance about to start.

After the vacuum brake cylinder had been refitted, all the brake rigging was reattached to the main break shaft and the brake cylinder connected up. This sounds easy, but it is all heavy and awkward, as you are having to work under the loco, no pit. It took the boys most of the day, but we can cross another job off the lest. In early December we ordered and took delivery of six new brake blocks. These come as a raw casting, and they need to be drilled for the pin that holds them in place.

During the lockdown the rods have got some rust on them, so Steve Morgan has got out his very worn piece of emery cloth and paraffin. That will keep him busy for a few weeks!