Work at Preston recently has continued with the overhauls of Great Western Railway 0-6-2T No. 5643 and Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Cumbria.
Keith, Dave, Ed, Ron and (new boy) Graham have been working to fit the crossheads on 5643, discovering in the process that some machining of the crossheads is required since the fit of the pistons in the re-lined cylinders is somewhat tighter than before. This leaves less room for play in the motion, which of course is a good thing, but has necessitated some adjustment to enable the pistons to travel freely. Dave, Graham and Keith are seen lifting one of the slide bars into place.
Cumbria’s saddle tank has received undercoat red and Paul Kelly is seen marking out the areas of black lining which has since been applied.
Jon and Sim have started the process of applying undercoat to the cladding sheets.
Meanwhile John has continued his re-build of Cumbria’s ashpan, which had become heavily distorted. John tells us that the end is in sight for this project.
Some work still continues on the laborious task of cleaning old paint from the saddle tank for former Furness Railway 0-4-0 No. 25. Ed is pictured taking a break from the job.
Finally, members should now be receiving their copies of the latest edition of The Iron Horse, which comes with an invitation to attend the Annual General Meeting on the 9th September.
