Steam shed update December 2021
Its been quite some time since the last post! Here is the current status.
There has been a huge effort in work relating to the new shed in particular all the track and yard work. The really good news is that the completed project has now been handed over to us. The crane has been tested a training provided for its operation.
CR419 The locomotive is in full working order and is due shortly to be winterised.
No.1 The loco is in full working order and is scheduled to be the standby loco for the Santa and Black bun specials.
No.19 The locomotive is in full working order and is the duty loco for the Santa and Black bun specials.
No.7 No progress at this time but it is scheduled to be moved to the new shed ASAP. The boiler is out with the old foundation ring removed due to numerous cracks particularly at the corners. A new foundation ring is ready to be fitted. The damaged sections of the outer wrapper have been cut out and new sections welded in. These are now dressed and the fitting of the new foundation ring the next task. We have in stock all the necessary rivets and patch screws. The regulator has received an overhaul while the J pipe was out and is ready to refit. The boiler has been re-tubed and all ends are expanded with only the ends in the fire box to be beaded over. The severely wasted doubling plates in the smoke box have been removed and replacements made ready to refit. It is planned that the smoke box door surround will also be replaced. The locomotives bottom end is in good condition with no significant work anticipated before entering service.
WD554 No progress at this time however the tender will be moved into the new shed ASAP. The tender frames are now straight and true although a little more work on the front LH is required before we can start riveting up. The main frame stretchers have all been removed and cleaned up and refitted with new bolts. A new set of spring hangers are ready to fit. The next task is to build up and fettle the horn guide thrust faces. The axle boxes have been cleaned up and are ready for trial fitting. A mould/jig has been made for white metaling the brasses. New sections of inner frame have been cut to replace the sections that had been historically damaged, A significant milestone in the fund raising has been passed with the total raised now well over £200,000.
No.246 Morayshire The work on the boiler at Locomotive Maintenance Services is progressing well with the replacement firebox wrapper plate now completed and extensive patch screw replacement in progress. The new flues are on site and are ready to fit once the patch screw replacement work is complete. The work on the boiler is being put on hold once the patch screw work is completed for a period of about 6 months due to the heavy overhaul and new boiler being fitted to Tornado. All the axle boxes are at Bo’ness for overhaul.
N0.6 Is in full working order but is due to be withdrawn shortly as its 10year ticket expires early next year. A set of tubes has been purchased (by its caretakers) for the loco and it is hoped that the boiler can be removed, re-tubed and given a new ticket over the next couple of years.
No.20 The boiler is out and tubes removed and the motion and brake gear has been removed from the frames. It is not anticipated that any progress will be made on this loco for a couple of years.