July 2024 update

By Pete Maddicks and Tony Howard

This month we fitted the fireman’s side tank, and to be fair from the photos it looked perfect, but it did need a little bit of fettling. It now fits much better. We will need to do a little bit more when it comes off for the boiler to come out. 
The 27th marked the return of your annual special train. This gives you the shareholders and friends a chance to have a good night out, it also gives a chance for you to have a look at the progress that has been made on the loco. This year one over a hundred and fifty people enjoy the evening, we also have the profit from the bar, so a very good evening with money raised. Thanks to Dave Mc Fall for organising the event, all of our regular volunteers who paid, then helped out on the train and spoke to all the people who came to have a look at the loco in the shed. A big thank you to the footplate crew, the guard and his trainee, also a big thank you to the staff that did a great job running the bar, and collecting the empty bottles and rubbish.

Monday 1st July.
Bob L, Charles L, Dave L, Peter D, Peter M, Si B, Steve T, Tony H.
Work was done on the brake shaft. This shaft had work done on it many moons ago at Bewdley in the early days of restoration. The two brackets were removed and the brasses given a good clean. Bolts that held them were not long enough as they need a nut, half nut and a split pin. New bolts and nuts will be ordered. New grease nipples will be fitted also. The crinoline that was causing the problem was looked at, and a solution was made to how to resolve it. The rear balance pipe that is firmly bolted to the tank has caused the first few holding down bolts to be out of line. A bit more fettling of the holes will be needed.
A start has been made on the lubricating pipework that runs from the cab to the smokebox.

Saturday 6th July.
Kevin S, Steve M, Tony H.
Kevin and Tony sorted out the 4/5 holes that hold the left-hand water tank to the frame. A lot of filing was needed, but by early afternoon they were done. Steve was painting various bits and pieces.

Monday 8th July.
Bob L, Charles L, Dave L, Dave Mc, Jordan T, Peter D, Peter M, Phil H, Steve T, Tony H.
It was noticed that the edge of the base of the water tank did not line up with the edge of the adjacent running plate. Eventually it was found that the reinforcing ring that supports the large pipe, runs vertically through the tank and had been welded on incorrectly, the straight edge was not square to the edge of the frame. This was done many years ago when we were at Bewdley. To correct this it meant lifting the tank so it could be altered, using an angle grinder to remove the offending piece.  Once this was done the tank was bolted back in place. This little job took most of the day.
Steve bought the extensions he had made for the grease nipples. The new bolts we need for the brake shaft have been ordered and we should have them next week.
More riveting was done on the right-hand tank.
Another session of riveting is planned for Tuesday 9th.

Saturday 13th July.
No work today!

Monday 15th July.
Bob L, Charles L, Dave L, Dave Mc, Peter D, Peter M, Phil H, Steve T, Tony H.
Charles fitted the new grease nipple extensions and also the brass bearings to the brake shaft. The new nuts and bolts were delivered for this job and will be fitted next week. Tony and Dave L worked on the fixing bar that secures the water tanks and fits behind the backhead cladding. This cladding has been altered so this bar is easier to fit. With the cladding altered it is still awkward to fit. They also refitted the backhead cladding that had been altered. The side which has the water tank fitted was extremely difficult to fit and will have to be finished when the tank is taken off, and when the boiler comes out for its steam test. Phil and Steve worked on setting up the regulator box and valve ready for Lapping in.
The rest of the lads were in the boiler shop fitting the baffles and stretchers in the right-hand tank. The riveting sessions went well in the previous week with all rivets in the top and bottom angles. Spot welding has started on the internal splashers.
More riveting was done in the week.

Saturday 20th
Dave Mc, Jack K, Jacob L, Richard O, Steve M, and Pete M on site today. Steve set to work on the safety valve bonnet with the Brasso. Jack and Rich welded the bottom angle to the floor plate of the tank. Jacob was linishing off the back of the reversing rod tunnel ready for welding in place. Pete was shorting 12mm rivets ready for fitting next week. 

Monday 22nd July.
Charles L, Dave L Dave Mc, Peter D, Peter M, Phil H,  Si B, Steve T,  Tony H.
The lubricating pipework that runs from the cab to the smokebox is progressing, we were asked to fit the cladding sheet at the rear of the firebox. This cladding sheet has a square access hole cut into it as this is where the connections are for the said pipework.  A cover plate is fixed over this access using round-headed screws and captive nuts. The crinoline that it is fixed to also has a half round piece welded into it for access for spanners to tighten the joints. Unfortunately when we fitted the cladding sheet this access hole was out of position, Dave L, Steve T and Tony took on the task to rectify this issue. The new bolts for the brake shaft were delivered.  Charles made a start fitting them. The threads needed lengthening, Phil took on the job using a button die. He was later joined by Steve and all the bolts were done.
In the boilershop the rest of the boys were working on the right-hand tank. More riveting was planned for later on in the week.

Saturday 27th July.
Jacob L, Kevin S, Peter M, Simon B, Steve M, Tony.
We spent our time tidying up around the loco, and putting out displays showing the progress made on the loco in readiness for the steam special train this evening for shareholders, friends and families.

Monday 29th July.
Charles L, Dave Mc, Jacob L, Peter D, Peter M, Phil H, Steve T, Tony H.
Charles and Phil modified the bolts for the brake shaft, just need the holes drilled for the split pins. Charles then joined Tony Pete M and Steve to re-fit the rear sandboxes. Dave, Pete D and Jacob using the Crane, removed the chimney and blower ring, this was needed to fit the new steel ring that is due to be delivered later this week. Then everyone went to the boiler shop to assist in reassembling the cab end of the right-hand tank.