Overhaul update
The grinding of the horn guides by contractors was completed in early July 2019. They had brought their own machine, and they and it proved highly competent. This shows the machine in action on 1st July.
Checking dimensions was a vital part of the process and an internal micrometer is here put to work. The greatest run-out over any single guide proved to be no more than two-thousandths of an inch.
A completed horn guide showing the almost glass-like finish. The chalk marks show the points at which measurements were taken.
With the grinding complete and all dimensions known, work could begin on machining the axleboxes. This one is shown on the steel-topped table. The instrument to the left is to ensure absolute squareness at the finish.
Meanwhile, back on the loco and with that vital job complete, the final coats of gloss black paint could be applied to the frames.
The work of pipe bending to suit the new injector continues. In this view, the feed pipe to the boiler is seen top and joined to the original delivery pipe while the steam pipe enters the picture, middle, turns through two ninety degree bends to meet the injector at its topmost flange.
The other end of this pipe, running outside of the feed water delivery pipe, disappears to between the frames just above the weighshaft. Here it joins another section as far as the smokebox saddle. All three of these sections are joined together, but forward of that will have to wait until the loco is off the jacks as the beam would be in the way.
The steam heat pipe to the front end joins to another section emerging from the cab. Three engineers spent about twenty minutes trying to start the union nut on the thread of the other section, without success. The painter, during a short break, wandered up, reached up and started it on the first attempt!
A minor problem with the brake cylinder was found in that the steam pipe connection was on the wrong side; the cylinder needed turning through 180 degrees. It was then found that a rivet in the new steel structure impinged on the cylinder’s new position. The rivet will be removed and replaced by a counter-sunk bolt.
As previously mentioned, a new ejector ring is being made and here it is fitted to the chimney, with a new petticoat above it.
There is little to do on the tender and it has stood idly awaiting attention for some time; this is about to change. The six springs have been removed and sent for retempering. Work is about to start to replace and link up the handbrake column, refit the water valve linkages and fit the intermediate buffing gear.
The front of the tender, with the handbrake stanchion complete, intermediate buffers in place and the water valves fitted and coupled up.