Overhaul update
Sunday 25 April 2021 saw another SMF working party visit. We knew that the engine had been moved from its long occupied position over the jacks, but it wasn’t where we expected it. We eventually found it in the far south western corner of the shed, and work began.
Many parts previously in storage have appeared. These are the two front cylinder covers, whose inside surfaces have had all the carbon removed and generally cleaned up. Also seen are some old piston rings, many broken, which will be replaced by new.
Another view of the parts, including the superheater header, motion parts and some pipework.
With them were the radius rods; the pink hue is not an indication of future colour schemes but an indication that they have been crack detected.
Also there were the return crank rods, also crack detected. Like all other motion parts, they are having their reverse sides painted. It isn’t easy to clean behind them, and this stops the onset of rust and corrosion. The outer faces, of course will be left bare metal and oiled to keep them clean and rust free.
Two return crank rods, two radius rods and, foreground, two union links with their rear, painted sides uppermost.
The expansion links are also being dealt with, and the dirt and surface rust has been removed.
The replacement of the pistons is imminent, and prior to this six studs are inserted in the rear cylinder covers. A Fund member cleans out the stud holes with a tap to ensure that they seat properly.
All threads recut ready to accept the rear bush and packing gland housing.
And the six studs in place. Note that two opposite ones are longer to aid fitting the housing.
Work has continued on the boiler and associated fittings, a major one being the smokebox, here being assembled to the front ring on 16 April (Photo: Brian Humphries).
And seen from the rear, inside the paint shop.
Viewed from the side, with holes drilled and attached by nuts and bolts prior to riveting.
The technical drawings for the smokebox. The Fund’s Archive has been able to provide many such drawings to aid new construction.
The door is in the main workshop with inner liner fitted, and various holes cut and cover plates attached where other fittings, such as the number plate, are bolted to the front face.
Also in the paint shop is the cab roof, still receiving its white paint.
Keeping it company are some firebox cladding sheets in their first gloss black coat.
Two parts brought out of storage are these plates. They sit in the bottom of the smokebox to help make it air tight. From the amount of char shovelled out of the saddle on dismantling, they were less successful at preventing this from filling with waste combustion products.
This puzzle is the rocking grate assembly with which the engine was fitted during its last boiler ticket. The boiler smiths removed it; they can figure out how it all fits back!
We were able to access the boiler shop to find the boiler lying on its right side; this makes riveting the front and rear foundation ring easier. Following this process, it will again be turned on to its back to allow the foundation ring sides to be tackled.
The front tubeplate. Replacing the securing nuts and bolts the the correct rivets is a job about to begin.
The rear row of crown stays, removed for the repair of the inner backplate, have all been refitted but await being nutted.
The same crown stays from inside the firebox, also awaiting nuts.
The front tubeplate. The threads for the large flues have been recut and show up well in this view.
The seating pad for the safety valves. Like all such, it must be a true surface and work to reface it has begun.
The forward section of the main steam pipe was removed and was found nearby...
...the other end of which has been thoroughly cleaned to make a good mating surface.