A very short update this week.
Now that the cylinder liners on Great Western Railway 0-6-2T No. 5643 have
been fitted there remains the awkward job of fitting four locating plugs
which prevent the cylinder liners from twisting when the engine is in service.
Whilst the liners have an interference fit, i.e. they have been shrunk with
liquid nitrogen to slot into the cylinders, the plugs are an additional safeguard
to any unwanted movement of the liners. The rear left hand plug is seen in
place here. We will leave Keith to relate to you just how challenging a job it
was to fit them when you see him next!
A final skim bore of the insides of 5643’s cylinder liners is due to take place on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. The piston heads will then be
turned down to fit and new piston rings fitted.
The end of the dry sunny weather is making outdoor work on 5643’s cab roof
and side tanks trickier, but Jon and Sim have continued their work, with Jon
seen below doing some preparation work on the right-hand tank. Ed has been
out to buy some marine paint to coat the insides of the tanks.
Furness Railway No. 20’s next outing in service at the Ribble Steam Railway is
scheduled for Saturday, 21st June with a couple more slated for the beginning
of July before it departs to attend The Greatest Gathering at Derby on the 1st ,
2nd and 3rd August.
Finally, Live Steam folk group has been booked to play at the Engine Inn at
Cark-in-Cartmel this next Saturday, 14th June, starting at 8 pm.