2021

New frame stretcher – ready for riveting in place.

Badly corroded steelwork.

New replacement pieces being fabricated.

The new pieces clamped in place – ready for welding then the whole section will be riveted in place – once this is secure, the old buffer beam can be removed and the new one riveted. Below the new section, the drag box can be seen – this will also be replaced as part of the riveting exercise.

Here can be seen some sections of new footplating - as the frames are not quite "square" anymore (due to years of wear and tear) some trimming is needed then drilling will be needed  to match the rivet holes in the supporting frames - then we can rivet the platework into place.

We did find one of the arms that supports the outer frame in position had a major problem - Like many of these components, it had been repaired during its BR service days but not very well!  The piece was removed - it had been welded on as well as riveted - and can be seen below with the detached end plate.

and below is the repaired section ready for re-riveting into place

Work has been undertaken on the horns in preparation for the horn grinding - here is Dave at work with the rotary wire brush and the finished surface

Pitting can be seen on the cleaned surface - the horn grinding will result in a perfectly flat section - measuments have shown that even when ground, we can have years of service from these components.

Work has also been underway on our axle boxes - these have all been thoroughly cleaned prior to refurbishment.  Unfortunately, during the years in storage four of the axlebox underkeeps have been removed and most likley used on other locomotives - we have ordered four new castings which were delivered in the Autumn - these will then need some machining before being ready to fit.  The wooden pattern for the castings are pictured - looks complicated but the foundry seem to understand whats was needed

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The new castings went on display at the november Gala

The top covers of the axleboxes have badly corroded and require replacement - 8 new ones have been made (two pictured below).  These now require drilling to match the individual boxes.

And from the machine shop - refurbished brake hangers

A batch of clack valves - one finished and lots of components for the rest - at the back of the photo csn be seen the brass bar that the valve parts were turned from

To allow restoration work on the timing mechanism of the loco, a number of the components must be removed (carefully!) before they're can be overhauled.  One of the rocker arms has proved very stubborn and has resisted the efforts of copper hammers, oxy-acetelyne torchs and a hydraulic press - part of the problem being the difficulty in applying the ram of the press.  To solve the issue, a former has been made to fit over a bracket on the frames - this will allow the full pressure from the hydraulic ram to be applied - hopefully it will now come apart.  The specialy made former is pictured below

Here is the chairman, in very pensive mood, operating the hydraulic press during one the earlier attempts to free the part

The cab roof was taken to Tyseley to be rolled into shape - pictured on its return with the original framework angleiron.

Now fitted to the cab and the whole trial mounted into position