Overhaul update
Rapid progress continues to be made with the locomotive’s reassembly!
The engine has been surrounded by scaffolding.
...another angle.
Some of the floorboards have been fitted by SMF volunteers.
Work done includes the trial fitting of the top feed and clack valve covers.
The job list for in and around the smokebox.
One of which is reaming out and fitting the bolts securing the smokebox to the boiler barrel. This was best done with the boiler in the frames.
A job yet to be started is cutting the holes for the main steam pipes to come through. Note that, with the boiler in place, the holes can be drilled through the smokebox securing it to the saddle, seen below.
In the cab, the manifold and several other items have been fitted, including the driver’s brake valve and ejector controls.
Other components yet to be fitted receive attention. This is a new end on the ejector exhaust pipe.
SMF volunteers fitted the whistle linkage to the cab roof. This must be done before the roof is in place.
It is important to remember details from when dismantling an engine. This shot from 24 October 2013 shows the inside of the smokebox with two pipes to the top right. One of these is the blower connection from a fitting on the tubeplate and must be refitted before the superheater header.
Will Marsh also has a good memory. He recalled that this wasn’t a pipe but a casting, and a new one had been made for the Black Five many years ago and the SVR still had the pattern. It was brought out of storage and a new casting will be made.