Axleboxes cleaned – prior to refurbishment work which will be undertaken when the newly turned axles return from work at the South Devon Railway. The axle dimensions will be measured and the axleboxes matched to the most suitable one to ensure we can obtain the maximum wear from existing components and have to replace as few as possible. The wearing surface can be seen (the curved piece) and can be re-metalled if the bronze part is not too badly worn.This pair of new drawhook shackles were acquired, even though it will be some time before they are needed - we will take every opportunity to join in with bulk purchases of items that will be required – these shackles were part of a batch manufactured by the West Somerset Railway and bought by many loco owning groupsThe loco frames and wheelsets were shot blasted and covered with an anti-corrosive coating – 50 years-worth of rust removed by thecontractors - the image shows the bare metal before at least three coats of the anti-corrosive paint was sprayed on then the volunteers moved in to start the undercoating to get the maximum protection before the marquee was removed.Here the wheels have just been removed – designed to provide full access for the shot blasting – in this image the frames are lifted on the 50 ton jacks ready for the accommodation bogies to be placed underneath – ensuring the frames are mobile and can be shunted outside the shed - the shot blasting must be carried out in a secure area - in our case we hired a marquee - to ensure the balsting medium can be contained and not damage any other equipment.A new pair of accommodation bogies has been manufactured to ensure that we can remain mobile while our wheels are sent away for the required work – these are the bogie frames prior to delivery – the wheels were in the machine shop at Toddington having the axle holes drilled and final assembly.Manufacture of our new cab gets underway – the part completed structure is pictured on display at the May 2019 GWSR gala.
