Workshop Update 4th November

Wednesday, 4th November, 2015

On the weekend of the 17th and 18th October the East Lancs Railway held its Autumn Steam Gala.  We were able to show the progress on 80097 by towing her onto the bay platform 1 for everyone to see. The loco, with our new information boards, attracted a great deal of attention and compliments of the dedicated work that has brought her so far.

During this weekend the team took the opportunity to remove the wagon carrying the old section of 80097 boiler, which has created more space outside the workshop.

Andrew, our copper pipe bending expert, has finished off the last of the complicated pipe runs that feed steam down to the injectors. There are still some lesser runs to be completed.

Alan, Jeff and Dan have fitted a board in the workshop to mount the power tools which will tidy the bench up and store them for easier use.

Jeff has polished the valve cross head slides and waxoyled the motion.

Stuart has continued fabricating the cladding clamping bands for the crinoline hoops and Hughie has been painting them.

Jim has continued painting primer on the inside of the cab.

Allan and Dave have been modifying the copper pipe runs to the fireman’s controls which are fed from the injector.

Phil and Dave have worked on forming and installing the small note copper piping on the coal spray pipe system.

Harry has been checking the lubrication pipes fixing clamps and fitting split pins to secure them.

Ivatt Report

Jimmy, Allan and Harry have continued work on the Ivatt to separate the axle boxes in the frames. This has involved heating the frame, fitting separating jacks above the axle boxes and then sledge hammering wedges to force the separation. All axle boxes have now been freed and the pins holding the brake rigging removed in the same way.

Jimmy and Dave have now removed the stands holding up the front of the engine and have detached the pony truck.

The split pins in the brake rigging have now been cut ready for them to be removed.

The Ivatt boiler, frame and wheels are now ready to be separated.

Pictures are:

80097 on display at the ELR Autum Steam Gala.

Ivatt 46428 on jacks and ready for the boiler, frame and wheels to be seperated.