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16 & 17 February 08 - GWS, Didcot
Another busy weekend of work with a excellent turnout of folks despite the cold weather, including a couple of people whom we thought had forgotten what the engine looked like.!! The major achievement of the day was the reapir to the cylinder, which now means we can get the motion re-fitted on the right hand side. In preparation for this Graham and Dave H got stuck into cleaning up the cylinder covers and the piston head for re-fitting. Dave F made good progress on rubbing down and undercoating the cladding from around the cylinder too.
We also had a very nice man with some boroscope equipment to make an inspection into the boiler. This was extremely impressive and he'll be back again to finish off the inspection. A start was made today on looking at the pressure relief valves on the cylinders. We'll be slowly working through these to make sure the springs are in good condition and that they are set correctly. So far, the two outside cylinder front valves have been looked at. The carrot cocks on the fountain also got an overhaul, while Martyn continued work on the gauge frame with the test cocks out for a complete clean and new packing to be fitted.
As usual, here are some photo's from the weekend...
9 & 10 February 08 - GWS, Didcot
Plenty of jobs to get on with again this weekend. We made an inspection of the left-hand inside big end, just to make sure everything was in order and this proved to be the case with the bearing in good condition. More work has been done in the smokebox to clean-up the floor area and also examine the base of the blastpipe, where it connects to the exhaust passages. The regulator valve has also been removed to allow more access to examine the main steam pipe and to also give it a clean and check the lubrication to the valve. The hoses from the vacuum retaining valve has also been removed to be replaced by by new ones when they are delivered.
While all this has been going on, the loco has been masquerading as classmate 6023 "King Edward II", currently under restoration in the workshop. This was done for a photoshoot at the GWS on Saturday evening. The engine is going to move to road 4 this weekend to allow the release of Pontyberem and also allow us to keep our parts tucked away neatly in the shed corner.
As usual, here are some photo's from the weekend...
Clive Hanley has made a collection of pictures on his fotopic website from last Saturday... http://clive-hanley.fotopic.net/c1456668.html
Shirley Parry also has some more pictures from Sunday on her website.. http://www.fireboxchaser.co.uk/king.htm
2 & 3 February 08 - GWS, Didcot
Another busy weekend of work at Didcot and by the end of Sunday nearly all the "major" works were at what could be described as the half way point. Basically all the dismantling jobs are nearly done and the various parts requiring refurbishment or new manufacture are away with the various suppliers for that work to be carried out. Now we have to wait for those items to be returned before the re-assembly can begin.
The outside right hand rear cylinder cover has now been removed and work to rectify the small steam leak at that point can be started. Inside, the second expansion link has been removed and taken away as well as the eccentric strap. Many thanks to Colin, Dave, Roger & Peter for organising the deliver of these parts. In the smokebox the blastpipe has been removed and given a good cleaning up. The cause of the small steam leak from the base of the blastpipe has been found and that only requires some minor attention to the smokebox floor to remedy that issue. The regulator valve cover has also been removed so we can give the valve a good check over and also allow access to the main steam pipe for inspection. Meanwhile, a small delegation made it's way to Derby to see the support coach and discuss the work taking place. A sucessfully meeting was had by all and we look forward to getting the coach back soon.
The smaller but no less important jobs have now got underway, under the engine the rear driving axle tie bar was removed, cleaned up and re-fitted with no signs of wear visible. The air pump governor was also removed for a check & clean-up as well as the pump's air filter. The loco's speedo drive has also been checked over as well as time spent taking measurement on clearances on other items around the engine. The cleaning gang we again hard at it, especially below the running plate and under the loco. Above the running plate the loco remains in a "work worn" condition for a photo shoot at Didcot this coming weekend.
As usual, here are some photo's from the weekend...