The boiler of the Trust’s ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Cumbria was eventually despatched to the workshops of the Mid Hants Railway on Thursday, 2nd April where it will be overhauled, including replacement of the crown and sling stays. It is due back at Preston in the autumn. It headed south with a new smokebox for Bulleid ‘West Country’ Pacific Wadebridge which had been collected from Riley & Son at Bury.
With the boiler away, it has been time to concentrate on cleaning and repairing of some of Cumbria’s other components. Ed is seen attending to some of the pipework.
John Dixon has continued his work on repairing the ashpan, including giving it a coat of protective paint.
Meanwhile, Sim is seen using a belt sander to clean up the running boards. These now look much better, having received a coat of primer. The chassis is due to depart from Preston for repair this Wednesday.
Work has been progressing at Riley & Son at Bury on the repairs to the boiler of Great Western Railway 0-6-2T locomotive No. 5643 where some cracks were found in the flange of one of the internal boiler pipes.
The cracks have been ground out and welded up as can be seen below.
Finally, Furness Railway locomotive No. 20 left Preston yesterday to take part in the Mid Hants Railway’s Spring Steam Gala this next Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tim and Ben will set off tomorrow in order to prepare the loco and Phil and Anne will be following them down on Thursday to staff the sales stand at Ropley. The good news is that the weather forecast is fairing up.
