Another short update this week.
Work has continued on the major re-staying of Great Western Railway 0-6-2T No. 5643’s firebox with Chris tackling the caulking of new stays inside the firebox. He reckons that after doing so much caulking in a day that he will be going round in circles in his sleep!
Ed and Ron have undertaken more reaming and tapping of stay holes with the result that Keith has been able to fit many more new stays.
Ade moved Furness Railway 0-4-0 No. 20 from the FRT shed to the running shed after piecing up the tender and engine back together. Tim proved that he could still get through the firehole door into the firebox to re-fit the grate, although there was a minor wardrobe malfunction as he tried to squeeze out!
Fortunately, John Dixon was on hand to assist! (No photos, thankfully.) We are pleased to be able to report that the locomotive passed its statutory steam test on Friday. Sam is seen on the footplate with Adam Wright, the Trust’s boiler surveyor. FR 20 and the FRT’s Great Eastern Railway royal saloon No. 5 are scheduled to run at next week’s Spring Steam Gala.
We leave you this week with a photo of Grant Richie 0-4-0ST No. 272 preparing to haul the Ribble Steam Railway’s five coach service on Saturday on the popular occasion of a visit by Paddington Bear.
