34039 Boscastle WC class

To bring this back to the present, the team have been using optical measurement techniques to ensure that the tender chassis is accurate. This involves lots of careful work not only along each side, but also from the centreline and for each hornguide. When the dimensions are known, then the final machining of the axleboxes after remetalling the bearings can be completed.
When the boxes were cleaned for white metalling, some small old cracks were uncovered. These have now been repaired by welding.

(Pic by M Playle)

 

Work on re staying the firebox has restarted now that the new long "tap" has arrived. Most of the surfaces for fittings, such as the whistle, have now been re faced. Work on the tender frame is continuing and it is hoped that the tender tank will be fitted in the Autumn.

 

There is now an update to the Boscastle website with pictures of the latest work being done on the boiler fittings and tender axleboxes.

 

More work has been done on the tender frame - now painted, and it looks like the spring hanging brackets are ready to be attached. There is the vacuum reservoir tanks cover being made ready for the top of the tender.

 

Here are a couple of pictures of the current situation re the tender painting and the new chimney/blower assembly.

 

I've been checking on the Boscastle website and that pair of castings are for "petticoats" and the Boscastle one was machined last year....which these aren't, so I don't know the story for these?? But that is the fascination of walking around the back of sheds, you see all sorts of bits and bobs - there is a new smokebox for something in the other "Gap" thread picture.

 

There is an update on the Boscastle website.....

"Shed Tours

Shed tours are starting again!


'Boscastle' volunteers will, once more, be conducting tours of the locomotive shed at the GCR one weekend a month. Tours will take place at regular intervals throughout the day from 10:30am to 3:30pm.


The tour gives you a chance to see restoration, overhaul and repair work in progress and hear about the place of 'Boscastle' in the story of the Great Central Railway. There is no charge for tours, but a donation on the day towards the overhaul of 'Boscastle' would be appreciated.


Dates confirmed so far are:-


July 24th & 25th

August 7th & 8th

September 4th & 5th"

 

More parts for the tender chassis were ready for assembly when I was able to visit the shed yesterday.
Boscastle Shed Tours take place this weekend when the Beer Festival is also running at the GCR.

 

The Shed tours took place but the visitor numbers were, as expected, lower than normal.
Work is concentrating on the tender axleboxes with the insides being white metalled and machined after the weld repairs to the old cracks. It is hoped to get the tender tank put on the chassis and (then!) the wheels installed in the next few weeks.

 

Fascinating - why put the tank on first? I'd never really thought about it, but presumed you'd wheel the chassis first and then put the tank on top?

 

The sheer breadth and detail of stuff one learns on here never ceases to amaze me. Bob help any non-NP opponents, should Trivial Pursuit ever decide to flog a "railways" edition!

 

Sorry Tobbes to have caused confusion. My sentence was clumsily reworded and the "then" should not be there, so in fact, the wheels will go under the chassis and the tender tank will be put on top, in that order.....

 

There is another opportunity to see the progress on Boscastle and the other locomotives in the GCR Loughborough Shed as there are "Boscastle Shed Tours" this week end (Aug 7th, 8th). More details on the Boscastle Website.

 

Work has been continuing "off-site" on re-staying the boiler. The tender frames are awaiting the axleboxes to be installed.
The shed tours had a steady flow of participants.

 

Two views today of Boscastle - inside the frames and the new vacuum reservoirs for the tender.

 

There is another opportunity to see the progress on Boscastle and the other locomotives in the GCR Loughborough Shed as there are "Boscastle Shed Tours" this week end (Sept 4th, 5th....... It is the Diesel gala event). More details on the Boscastle Website.

 

Re-wheeling of the tender chassis is said to be very soon, as the axlebox machining is nearly complete. Then the tender tank will be put in place as the GCR wants to clear more space North of the shed.
There is an update to the Boscastle website, with pictures of the latest progress.

 

There has been a bit more work on the various tender chassis parts, but most time has been spent on the boiler. The next Boscastle Shed Tours takes place Oct 2nd, 3rd during the Autumn Gala (31st - 3rd). There is also a new date for tours on the website for Nov 13, 14th.

 

Steady progress with Boscastle as the tender now has its axleboxes repaired, re white metalled and machined. They are by the chassis and the wheelsets are just outside the shed. It is hoped that the rolling chassis will be run along the line in November, before the tender tank is put in position.

 

The Boscastle AGM went well yesterday and it was a welcome change to be able to meet in person! The good news is that the tender frame should be back on its wheels very soon and the tank back on shortly after. The boiler has had a lot of work done and re - staying is proceeding. The inside motion on the locomotive chassis is due to be re-assembled early next year when the tender is finished. The end is indeed in sight for the return to steam in 2023.
In other news, the recent updates to the website were well received and the return of the regular Boscastle Shed Tours at Loughborough is proving very popular with plenty of visitors.
The less good news is that more money will be needed to get the locomotive finished, as the cash in the bank is running very low. However recently donations via the DCRT have increased and more BLL shares have been purchased, so the issue is being addressed.