Overhaul update

The wasted platework at the front of the tender has now been removed and the new metal is mostly tacked in place, ready for final welding. The actual shovelling plate is made, but will fitted after the other pieces are fully fitted.

The job required the removal of the handbrake stanchion. As soon as it had been liberated, it was eagerly grasped by the painters and subjected to usual stripping and painting. The fitters also managed to get involved, removing the screw to check for ant wear of the mechanism.

The painters have worked hard removing paint and dirt from the coupled wheels, in this case the left hand intermediate wheel.

The transference of Brian’s skills on to the tender has caused a slow down of work on the rear of the loco, but it continues. This is the running plate and platework below the fireman’s side of the cab, again showing new steel being cut and bent to shape.

The mechanical lubricator for the cylinders and valve chest has been temporarily put back to allow the pipe runs to be cut and bent to shape. The lubricator is to the left with four feeds into the atomiser, right. The feeds from this to the valve chests are now complete. There are a further four feeds direct from the lubricator to the piston rod glands and top middle of the cylinders. Much of these pipe runs are also in place and will be extended to meet the lubricator shortly.