Overhaul update
The process of trial fitting the axleboxes in the horn guides is well underway with three so far in place and checked. It is important to ensure that the boxes will travel vertically their full distance without excessive clearance in either the longitudinal or transverse planes.
The three so far tried are fine. Note the careful watch being kept from the right hand driving box! Once all boxes are deemed good, they can be tried and fitted to the axle journals and the engine lowered on to its wheels.
A view inside one axleboxes showing the white metal covering the brass pressed into the steel box, with the underkeep for the oil in place below.
The above process requires that the springs are first fitted below the axleboxes. The six reconditioned driving springs are on site and stacked ahead of the wheels and ready to fit.
One of the coupling rods supported on a bench. The brass at the far end is fitted, that at the near end is about to be so.
The Fund is undertaking the refurbishment of the sand pipes, traps and ejectors, with new nozzles being fitted. Here a Fund member uses a wire brush to clean the dismantled components.
Work continues on the new ashpan, the three hopper doors being seen here. Still to be tackled are damper doors, their hinges and associated linkages.
The engine is to have a new smokebox, ring and door. The Fund has provided the drawings for these, but the old smokebox has been dug out to check the dimensions and ensure no discrepancies have occurred in the last 75 years!
Progress in the boiler shop means that the work on the rear of the copper side and roof plates is finished and the boiler was this day turned so it is again inverted. Work to fit the reconditioned inner firebox backplate will now begin, followed by the fitting of the new lower outer backplate.
With these in place the lower outer sides can be cut off preparatory to new steel being welded into these positions.