Overhaul update
The smokebox door has had its inner liner removed to give access to the fastenings of its various fittings, including the hinges.
The rear face of the outer door, with the mounting points outlined in chalk.
Other smokebox fittings have appeared from storage, including both sides main steampipes from the superheater header to outside the smokebox wrapper.
Inside the smokebox saddle some wasted steel is being built up by welding.
A week previous, the remains of the studs for the blastpipe stand were drilled out using the magnetic drill and the threads recovered by the SMF working party.
Below, the water drain and connection for the front vacuum pipe is now fitted, waiting for the repainted pipework shown last time to be attached. This area is normally hidden behind the front running steps.
A general view of the rear of the loco, giving an idea of the number of fittings which have been attached, including the pull-off spring to the brake cylinder bellcrank..
...while the brake pull rod extending from there to the rear crossbeam is also on.
Also now fitted, but mainly to check functionality and fit of pins, is the reverser reach rod together with its steadying bracket part way along its length. A lot more work was done also on the lubrication pipework, and in the background a Fund volunteer has the tedious job of priming the feeds from the axlebox mechanical lubricator to ensure continuity of supply to each box with no leaks in between.
In the boiler shop, work on riveting the new backplate piece to the firebox sidesheets is well advanced.
With riveting complete also to the reinforcement piece between the original upper and new lower sections.
A small piece had to be cut from each side to allow access to the rear during the joining process. These too have now been made good. Seen also on the left is one of the rivets to the reinforcement between upper and lower section.
The copper inner backplate, which has been the recipient of much welding, has been removed from the welding bay prior to fitment once all riveting on the outer shell is finished.
The new front tubeplate which, as previously explained, was sent away to be drilled by sub-contractors, is back and will soon be fitted to the boiler shell.