We are heading into the Autumn months and with plenty of work ahead of us in the shed at Preston.
With the chassis and boiler of the Trust’s ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Cumbria away for overhaul, work has again focussed on the components remaining at Preston. John Dixon has continued the task of rebuilding the ashpan, this time inserting sacrificial side plates to reduce damage and warping to the outer plates.
Paul Kelly and Tim completed the varnishing of the saddle tank last Wednesday and this can now be stored. Jon and Sim have been working on the boiler cladding plates which have now all been cleaned up, primed, undercoated, and given a coat of gloss Indian red paint.
News from the boiler shop at the Mid Hants Railway is that all the crown stay holes in Cumbria’s firebox have been reamed and tapped. The new crown stays can then be fitted once received. The new boiler tubes have arrived there.
The latest update from Statfold Engineering is that they hope to have completed their work on Cumbria’s chassis by the end of October.
Keith, Graham, Ron, Dave and Ed have been working on Great Western Railway 0-6-2T 5643’s chassis with the result that both connecting rods are now in place. The left-hand big end needed some new white metal and Keith is seen here removing the excesses prior to scraping in.
Unfortunately, the cracking in 5643 firebox has been found to be more extensive than previously thought and consideration is being given to fitting a new ¾ backplate. This will inevitably delay the return to service of this locomotive.
Furness Railway locomotive No. 20 operated on four dates in August at the Ribble Steam Railway, hauling some very busy trains. It has now been possible to fit the new engine brake blocks that arrived a little while ago. Ed and Dave are seen removing one of the old blocks.
FR 20’s left hand clack valve proved troublesome over the Bank Holiday and so has been removed and despatched today to a machine shop for repair. Our thanks go to Anne and Phil for running the FRT’s sales stand very productively on the Bank Holiday Saturday and Monday.
Finally, a reminder that the Trust’s Annual General Meeting will take place in the FRT’s shed at Preston next Wednesday, 9th September at 7.30 pm. We understand that Alison will have some refreshments for us, including cake!
We hope to see as many as possible of our members there.