Overhaul update
Another very productive day!
There is a certain amount of shuffling around in the works in connection to the forthcoming roof replacement, and 82045 is now positioned behind 2968. The opportunity was taken to couple the engines together so that 2968 could be moved to establish the exact position of the crosshead on the front and back quarters, necessary to allow valve setting.
The bar coupling the two engines together.
With the right piston on the front quarter, Graham marks the position of the crosshead.
The scribed line is then enhanced by pop marks with a centre punch.
The original scribe mark against engineers’ blue with the pop marks shown.
The left hand running plate properly aligned. The hexagon headed bolts are being replaced in turn by dome headed equivalents, as this reduces the risk of tripping by men accessing the running plate.
This includes to ones along the top face, the outer the outer in course of being replaced.
The Fund’s working party also permanently fitted the right side cylinder cover. The new copper gasket, not an original fitting, is seen on the studs while the cover lies in the foreground. The cladding around the valve chest had to be compressed slightly to allow sufficient clearance, hence the G clamp.
The cover all nutted up and complete. The left side will be tackled next week.
Some of the items in course of Graham’s attention. The valve lower left is the shut off for the steam atomiser; lower right the valve supplying oil to the smokebox regulator; while top right are a couple of collars, part of the main steam pipes to the cylinders.
The superheater header has now passed the ultrasonic tests but awaits a hydraulic test.
In preparation for this, various blanking plates and gaskets are needed.
In the boiler shop, work on the foundation ring continues. Aligning the holes through corners is tricky.
This makes it a slow job, but one which is progressing.
Meanwhile, more stays have been fitted, but the supply of these has now been reduced due staff illness, although soon to resume.
Welding on the collars for the handrail and ejector exhaust pipe mountings continues.
Other fittings have also been attended to, this one a handrail mounting on the firebox.
While this one supports the ejector ahead of the cab on the driver’s side.