Overhaul update
Work proceeds on the upturned boiler, with the stay holes in the right hand side lower firebox side being reamed out. This was the first stage: apparently the holes in the inner firtbox were ‘about two pence diameter’ while those in the outer plate were ‘about one pence’ diameter. Boilersmiths obviously use different units to other engineers!
On the other side, most stay holes had been drilled in the new side sheet. Later that day the reamer was moved across to expand these also.
At the back end of the firebox the new outer backplate is marked out for the drilling of its stay holes. Also seen are the pads for the various backplate fittings, bolted in place and ready to be welded to the plate.
Work continues on the inner backplate, with many holes drilled although those for the right upper flange (far right) are still oversize and need to be welded prior to drilling.
The flange’s top face with the drilled holes in close up.
The top feed housing is now ready, with two of the stepped studs per side fitted. The welded up holes for the original safety valves carried by this boiler can be seen.
One of the clack boxes which will be bolted to the top feed when the boiler is ready.
In the machine shop the big end brass pressed into the connecting rod last week is having its length trimmed to the correct size.
Meanwhile, on the loco the valve spindle crosshead is complete, bolted up and the retaining pins opened, meaning no further work is needed here.
The jobs list on the cab side has grown since last week, but all previous and some new items are already ticked off.
The rear of the engine shows that the rear vertical plate, tender fall plates and cab doors are all back in their rightful places.
The big job of the day was to refit the cab running steps. The engine is off the jacks and has been rolled forward about six feet - its first movement on its own wheels for over a year! This allows full, unimpeded access to the trailing end, hence the fitting of the steps. This in turn allows the permanent fitment of both side injectors.
Underneath the engine, a start has been made on reinstalling the brake linkage. This is the pull rod between the intermediate and trailing coupled wheels.
And on the vacuum side, the front standpipe has been dug out of storage and brought to the engine. It will, of course, need cleaning and painting before fitting.
And speaking of the painters, here is the cylinders’ mechanical lubricator receiving attention before going back on the running plate adjacent to its mechanical counterpart.