Overhaul update
Fabricated parts continue to be added to the trailing end of the loco, the painters moving in a soon as the fabricators move out.
Some of which parts involve very intricate shapes and with access holes needing to be reproduced.
The item with two Ls on it is a single piece and will form part of the lower floor outside of the left hand main frame.
All completed steelwork has been given its two coats of primer, and today the first coat of black undercoat was applied. Some of the horizontal areas will be covered by the floor plating itself so are best treated before this is riveted in place, and while access is easy.
Oil boxes and their brackets are being refitted along with the associated copper delivery pipes. Where these are still serviceable they are annealed prior to fitting. The one here has been kinked at some point in its career and will be renewed. The half clamp shown left will be one of many used to secure the pipe runs to the frames. This, apart from looking neat, will reduce vibrations and hardening of the pipes.
These clamps are secured to the frames by two bolts each. Our team leader is seen drilling and tapping the holes in the frames to take the bolts.
In the machine shop, further component overhaul is underway. These are the two crossheads in course of being remetalled. Although they look small when on the loco, their sheer size is more apparent when seen on the workbench.
The trailing coupled wheel set, with both axleboxes removed. It will soon be joined by the others, then sent for tyre and journal turning.
Although work in the boiler shop is concentrating on 75069’s boiler, this front tubeplate has recently arrived. Although there is nothing to identify it - and at the time, no-one around to ask - the 21 holes to take the large flue tubes identify it as being for an early Stanier Class 3 boiler, i.e. 13268.
The tender repaint continues, and almost everything is back in black. The work is actually further advanced than these photos show, as the inside of the coal bunker has been taken down to bare metal and all paint coats, including the top coat, applied.