engineering update winter 2008-2009
The locomotive has performed reliably on the limited outings at ELR in recent months. It was back in action again for the ELR Gala on 24th to 25th January following a winter maintenance outage during which time it had been under frost precautions to prevent freezing damage during the cold weather. The main focus of work has been on the repair of the coal pusher which blew a cylinder head gasket last year. As it had continued to function, the job was deferred as it was a major undertaking involving removal of the pusher from the tender. As the environment in the coal space is highly corrosive, it was necessary to resort to oxy-acetylene surgery to remove seized pins and dowels. The pusher cylinder (pictured below) was craned out, examined and repaired. A copper gasket has been fitted this time and the problem is unlikely to recur. The pusher was refitted and tested satisfactorily. New linkage pins were supplied courtesy of Richard Holt. Work has commenced off site in preparing new flue tubes at a local engineering company, Cope Engineering. Tube bottle ends have been pre-machined ready for welding to the tubes to be delivered from Corus, week commencing 26th January. The Trust has been able to loan an excellent adjustable tap for the firebox tubeplate threads and a set of new cutters is being manufactured in readiness for Ian Riley Engineering to start the work in May after we return from our planned outing to the SVR. it is hoped to have the locomotive ready for VAB final inspection at the end of June if the job goes smoothly.
The coal pusher revealed - you can sometimes hear it at work but cannot see it when it is buried under 9 tons of coal!
Trust Chairman and Engineering Director, Dr Gary Shannon, sets about warming up parts of the coal pusher in preparation for removal and replacement of the cylinder head gasket.