26th January 2012
Turnout has been very patchy recently probably due to the bad weather, however progress continues! There have been some welcome new faces in the shed but the number of active volunteers turning out on a regular basis is declining overall. We need to reverse this trend! The recent storm force winds have damaged various buildings including the Romney shed, Running shed, and the water column roof blew clean off!
No.7 has had a boiler washout and steady progress is being made on the various items that require to be serviced a well as some of the small jobs still outstanding from its overhaul. The cracked window has been replaced. The damaged reversing lever pawl and quadrant have been repaired, the vacuum ejector has been cleaned and serviced, steam brake pipe work is being re-routed, the back head cleaned, Makers plates fitted etc. chimney cover, spark arrester and some modifications to the bunker are still to be made.
No.1 is has been drained down and winterised.
CR 419 :- All work has just about stopped at the present time due to the need to have Morayshire back together. The boiler is progressing with the new crown stays holes tapped. the new foundation ring is almost ready to be fitted.
LNER 'Morayshire':- Now on the rolling road and in the process of checking and adjusting the valve timing. The LH cylinder has been set, the RH has been measured and set with the centre measured but is still to be adjusted. It is hoped to have it all complete in the next couple of weeks. The new super heater elements are now in the process of being made and should be with us before the start of the running season. The engine and tender have been thoroughly cleaned and repainted below the running boards and the cab has been fully repainted internally as well and all looking very good! There is still a fair bit to do once the valve setting is complete refitting the centre connecting rod and the exhaust steam pipe for the injector, brake gear, weighing the locomotive and tender and setting the springs etc.
'Fair Maid' :- No progress.
Prestongrange No.6: Winterised and an agreement has been reached to have the pug operational at Bo'ness until October.
Austerity No. 19:- All the springs hanger pin holes have been bushed and springs are in the process of being fitted. The boiler is now inside the Romney shed and work is now underway to replace all the back head and dome studs, and repairs to the front tube plate and smoke box. Removal of the regulator operating rod has allowed inspection of the crown stays which were found to be badly wasted with most if not all needing to be replaced. Valve spindles have been sent out to be spiral welded and returned to new size. Fitting of the Machining of the new big end brasses and re-metalling of the cross-head slippers etc is now in progress.
No.20:- No progress at the present time.
Richboro:- All the steam joints are being checked and new gaskets fitted. Cylinder drain cocks have been cleaned and cylinder covers refitted. Cab floor being fitted and the list of tasks to be carried out before operational duty are being progressed.
