We are in December and heading fast towards Christmas, but still plenty of work to do before then!
Most efforts have recently been concentrated on stripping down the Trust’s ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Cumbria in preparation for the 10 year overhaul of its boiler. Ron Crowe, Ed Tatham and John Dixon have been working hard on this culminating in the chimney, cab roof and saddle-tank being lifted off the
locomotive last Wednesday, 26th November. As ever, Ade was in charge of the logistics of moving Cumbria round to the Ribble Steam Railway’s workshop, with assistance from Dave Billington, so that the overhead crane could be used.
The cab roof is lifted:
The saddle-tanks touches down on Stewart Waugh’s wagon:
Once these components had been removed it was then possible to start removing Cumbria’s clothing (as it is known), with John Dixon seen here cleaning down the running board after the cladding plates had been removed.
Meanwhile, Jon Dixon has also been working to spruce up 5643’s cab and Tim Owen has applied the first coat of British Railways gloss green paint to the outside of the bunker.
Following its boiler washout, Furness Railway locomotive No. 20 has been moved into the RSR’s museum for the Christmas period and the duration of the visit to the RSR of the Railway 200 Inspiration Train during the first full week in January.
Jo Booth and Dave Hughes have found a slot in their work schedule to take the front of Furness Railway No. 25’s cab into the paint shop to give it a couple of coats of red oxide primer.
Finally, don’t forget the FRT’s Christmas Dinner at 7pm on Friday evening at the Pig & Whistle on Blackpool Road, Preston..