Overhaul update
Only two of the working party were available on 26 August, but we made the most of it.
The vacuum hose – bag to railwaymen – was fitted to keep the steam heat bag
company.
The boiler handrails have been extricated from storage. Their sockets on the boiler
are to be replaced, so new holes for the retaining pins are needed and the old ones filled. This latter
has been done.
We fitted the radius rods to both sides of the engine. One die block needed to have
its ends rounded off, as seen here.
The right side radius rod was fitted first. It was found that it was a very tight fit
within the expansion link, and this in turn was found to be insufficient clearance in the outer die
block. This has been removed and will be given a skim to bring it within tolerance.
The left side rod went up with no issues, and is now complete on the engine.