Happy New Year as work progresses

Thursday, 8th January, 2015

Happy New Year to all of our supporters.

Work didn't stop in 97 HQ over the Christmas period with the dawning realisation of all that needs to be done before the return of the boiler.

The job giving us the biggest headache is the crinolene.  We have a small amount of the old crinolene as reference but interpreting the drawings is proving a challenge. Phil and Dave assembled the boiler barrel banding, then drilled, tapped and countersunk the connecting strips.  These were then all put together last weekend before a final coat of paint and being put away in storage. 

The cladding is progressing well. The backhead cladding has been assembled and a start has been made on the firebox crinolene. These are giving Allan a big headache and anyone standing on his chalk lines in the shed getting shouted at!!

The smokebox adaptor ring has been removed and is now stored ready to be taken to the boilersmith.

Most weekends are now spent avoiding the clouds of dust as the painters have started to prep the engine ready for painting. Any help with this is gratefully received as it is a long and lengthy process.

We would like to remind all of our supporters that any help either physically or financially is always welcome. We can usually be found working away most weekends.