Overhaul update
The gap in our Frames has gone! The new frame section, shiny and new, tacked in place.
Close up views of the tack welds above the horn gap and at the front lower section.
Maintaining alignment is vital in a major work of this kind and these are optical alignment gauges to help ensure this. The cylindrical item is mounted above and behind the trailing horn gap, the pin is placed further forward and sighting pieces hung from it, and the rule is near the front horns. All three must be in alignment before and after the work.
A view of the equipment used to ensure the Frames are perfectly aligned.
Another piece of equipment to ensure the Frames stay perfectly aligned.
Information is marked on the frames for various reasons: alignment and marking and specifying holes, their sizes and any other information. Brian, of the SVR paid staff who has done such a massive amount of superb work on our engine, is seen applying a white panel to write the information on.
A typical panel is shown, giving the positions, size and counter-sinking of five holes to mount the spring hanger.
Details showing the method of chamfering and welding in the new frame section.
The information is turned into real work, and SMF volunteer Robin Spain drills out the five holes. By the end of the day, all were drilled out to final size and counter sunk.
Work goes on at other parts of the loco: here is seen the rear of the right hand leading horn cheek. It also shows newly refurbished pinned cross stay and the reconditioned spring hanger bracket and its newly turned pin.
Major structural parts had to be removed to allow the insertion of the new frame section. This is a horizontal stretcher and a mounting bracket for the running plate.
Other, less structural but still essential, parts have been removed for refurbishment. These are the brake hangers, some needing worn metal to be built up by welding. Behind is the pony truck pivot, rebushed and machined. In the foreground is its pin with wear marks visible. Its newly turned replacement is behind,
Inevitably, painting of the engine itself goes on! This is the right hand leading frame, now accessible with the coupled wheel set removed.
Other parts removed, the coupled axleboxes have been out for some town, while the old frame section occupies the foreground.
By far the most obvious part replaced is the right hand cab side, presently attached by a few bolts only. It allows the cab panel to be used as a template to drill out the framework behind, when the final rivets will be used. The left hand side will be fitted shortly.