It has been a case of more of the same as far as work as Preston was concerned this last week. Jon Dixon and Tim have made progress with the exterior redecoration of the mess room, with the roof almost finished and the east facing side receiving both undercoat and gloss finishes courtesy of some unexpected sunshine.
There was some disappointment on Thursday when the air drill being used to ream out the stay holes on Great Western Railway No. 5643’s firebox didn’t live up to the task. A new drill is being sought for this next week. However, there has been further progress with the cleaning of 5643’s rear water tanks where some two-part epoxy paint will be applied. A coat of bitumastic paint has been painted inside the bunker. Keith has been cutting up steel plate to fit in both 5643’s rear water tank and also 4979’s tender so there will be plenty of work for our welder to do.
Finally, Live Steam had a successful gig at the Engine Inn at Cark-in-Cartmel on Saturday evening, although it was not without incident. Three police vans appeared in the usually sleepy village to attend to a couple of members of the audience who had been ejected for unruly behaviour. Although it is said that they had paid to hire a holiday cottage in the village, it wasn’t required that night as we hear they were given alternative accommodation courtesy of Cumbria Police!
Furness Railway locomotive No. 20 returned to Preston from its slightly extended seaside holiday at Minehead at 9.30 pm on Wednesday evening and was unloaded the following day. There was just time therefore on Friday to put back guard irons, sand pipes and other equipment as well as give it a thorough inspection and clean before it re-entered service on the Ribble Steam Railway on Saturday. Thanks go to Sam, Alan, John and Jack for their help and contributions to ensuring that FR 20 looked sparkling for those who came to ride behind it.
Work continues on the overhaul at Preston of Great Western Railway 0-6-2T No. 5643 where Ed has been cleaning out the tanks, a dirty job as you can see from the photographs. Needless to say, he was then accused of giving everyone black looks!
Thursday saw Chris Rycroft, John Dixon and Keith riveting some new steel angle to the frames under where the bunker is situated. John is seen warming up the rivets…
……which can then be seen securely in position.
Some more riveting is still required and Keith is seen here preparing the holes with a drill. The new steel angle can also be seen in situ.
Finally, Sim and Tim have continued their work on the repaint of the mess room, with Sim seen here giving the roof a coat of paint.