Overhaul update
2968 / 13268 has been moved into the space vacated by pannier tank 7714, which has had its boiler refitted and is on its way to completion. While this takes us deeper inside the shed, it is much lighter at this point, allowing work which would have been difficult previously, especially to the left hand side.

The reverser frame receiving loving attention before repainting
and storage prior to the loco’s reassembly.

Right hand three-quarter front view. The improved lighting helps, but space constraints on the other side restricts photography.

The area where the trailing sandbox used to be is now painted in gloss black. This will allow the sandbox’s return here once its own paint has dried.

The drag box area below the cab received some chipping to clear away accumulated rust. These longitudinal members will be retained, as will the horizontal stretcher below them. The upper stretcher has been removed to reveal this normally inaccessible area; but that component will be replaced.

View forward from the cab area, showing that the painting of the inside frames is complete, and the intermediate sandboxes have been refitted. The red paintwork extended only as far back as the firebox, beside this was black, as here.