Overhaul update
Most of the big and very visible work is now done but there remains many smaller, detail jobs for the SVR and working parties to do.
The engine spent the summer outside in the shed yard where the valve gear developed some rust and a layer of ash from the ash pit. The previous week’s working party cleaned down all these bare metal parts.
Work this day concentrated on boiler components. The SVR paid staff tackled the manufacture of the final components for the firehole door assembly, some of which are shown on the bench.
The doors were all but completed by the mid-afternoon, with the slides and doors assembled on the firebox and fully and smoothly working. All that remains is the manufacture of a few collars and retaining pins.
The superheater header has been the cause of much work but this is almost done. The faces of the grid have been machined using the SVR-designed cutting tool and all that now awaits is final lapping on of the valve faces. The debate is whether to fit the header before or after the smokebox.
Also under the care of SVR full-time staff was a minor modification to the ashpan linkage. It will be recalled that the ashpan was trial fitted to the firebox and a modification to its length was needed. This reacted on the linkage to the hopper doors, and this problem was being tackled. Behind is the smokebox; all the holes for mounting to the barrel are now drilled and it can be fitted following successful hydraulic and steam tests.
The safety valves are also being tackled by SVR staff, with new components being made as needed. They are seen dismantled on the bench.
Also in the machine shop was this brass casting, difficult to recognise in its dismantled state as the ejector control valve.
The plan is to fit the boiler into the frames with the cladding attached. The cladding sits on a ‘crinoline’ fitted over the boiler to support and give it shape, and the working party’s task was to remove this from storage, check it for condition and make any necessary repairs. These straight pieces join the hoops at top and bottom.
Some of the hoops laid out on the ground. There are four pair of them, all different diameters to match the taper of the cladding sheets. The matching proved more difficult to establish than might be thought.
With this primary task accomplished, we began to examine the individual pieces for damage; mostly they were in better condition than expected. The threaded holes were then retapped; mostly the parts had already been painted and the paint clogged many of these holes.
With the holes retapped, the examination over and with the necessary repairs noted, the parts were stored against the wall, ready to answer the call. The large oval piece surrounds the safety valves.