34081 overhaul progress

Definitely not loaned any parts to another Bullied but it has loaned parts to another Bulleid. Nothing major but the owners needed a quick solution to a problem and we were able to oblige.
Yes, the spirit of co-operation is alive and well in the Bulleid world.

 

And long may it continue.

 

Oh dear... I did say Bullied didn't I! How embarrassing... I do apoligize to all Bulleid fans (I got it right that time!). Oliver Bulleid would not be impressed...

And it's good to see co-operation between groups. Afterall... Us Bulleid fans and supporters, as well as groups and organisations, have to stick together... For the good of the Bulleids! Every heritage railway should have one. The NVR's fortuanate to have such a pedigree like yours.

Keep up the good work, and remember: For the good of the Bulleids! Us fans are watching with great interest.

 

Your good wishes are most welcome but your money and/or physical assistance will be even more welcome.
We have a grand little bunch of volunteers but we can always find work for more hands should they become available.

 

I would be interested in helping, but I live in Cleethorpes, and I am currently studying at college. So it would be a struggle to find the time and the means to get there.

Just out of curiosity, I heard somewhere that you were considering overhauling 34081 to main line standards. I you still considering this?

 

Hi,
Unfortunately we don't have any volunteers from your neck of the woods at the moment, otherwise a lift could be arranged. The nearest is Grantham.
Main line running is not on the agenda so whilst we intend the overhaul to be done to the highest standards, all the extra stuff needed for main line won't be done.

 

Probably for the best really, theres a lot of Bulleid competition out there on the national network at the moment, particuarly in the near future from what I hear, and overhauling and equiping a loco to run on the main line is an exspensive business.

I don't suppose I could ask what livery you plan to run it in, can I? I have to say that Malachite green and "Sunshine yellow" lining and lettering, with British Railways on the tender, really suited your engine. And considering every other operational Bulleid Pacific at the moment is wearing the typical Brunswick green, it would make your engine stand out.

 

Where is the boiler being done.

 

Chatham Steam at Detling.

 

It's one hell of a commitment to support a loco on the main line and to be honest we don't have enough people with sufficient time spare to take it on. No doubt we would attract new volunteers if we did go main line but we don't have a support coach and we don't have the money to solve that problem nor to do a main
line standards overhaul.
When we first had the livery debate the membership was split almost down the middle but malachite green just won the day. I have to agree that it really suits a Spam Can with the "go faster stripes." BR dark green is arguably the more marketable livery in the enthusiast Market for photo charters and such so plenty for us to ponder over the next couple of years.

 

More pics of the overhaul to view at http://www.92squadron.co.uk

 

Update on the parts loan. Seems we didn't have all the parts needed so another Bulleid group stepped into the breach.

 

August 31st by Kingsley Harris
"Another great turnout today.
Roger. Got stuck into the bogie chassis cleaning.
Doc. Started the stripping of the primer on the Delta which the faulty Phosphoric acid had allowed the rust to leach through.
Alan.P. Was working with Roger on the bogie. Alan is also starting a log of member's hours worked on the loco.
Mick. Was cleaning and prepping the whistle operating rod assembly and was last seen attempting to prime an 18ft length of 1/4" dia rod which was behaving like a snake.
Ambie. Still on the chassis clean and now with the new cleaning agent that Al got, even better.
Alan.C. Worked on the drag box with the needle gun.
Barry. Valiantly attempting to repair the fine mesh gauze in one of the sump breathers.
Richard. P. Bought up the laptop which has kindly donated for our logging records.
Alan got stuck in to some paint jobs and has taken the shed plate away to highlight the white on the plate. He also gave Ambie assistance on the 'higher' sections of the chassis clean.
DOC. Although involved with 656 was also involved under the front end on the linkage for the drain cocks.
Graham. Working under the front end removing the three centre cylinder drain cocks and the linkage.
Jim. Also working with Graham and then subsequently temporarily reassembling the cocks and linkage for photos.
Mike. Tackled the rear diaphragm plate. We 'suggested' he did this outside as the the needle gun produced well serious noise!
Myself. Cleared some items into the green, top coated the axle and horn block lubrication assemblies, found the whistle shaft assembly, tagged and photographed the centre drain cocks and linkage in situ and reassembled after removal/
13 people today and all busy. It's really wonderful to see such turnouts and the lovely atmosphere being generated. Long (but not too long) may it continue.
We now know that when she goes back into traffic, we will have a very strong support team for Al on the service and maintenance front as every one will have have proper hands on experience."

 

@Spamcan81. I have sent you a PM. Hope you get it.

 

September 14th
Kingsley Harris reports
"A good day again yesterday with good progress being made on clearing up the backlog of painting. Thanks Mick.
Roger has about finished the Delta topside. It just needs overturning and the final prep and paint can continue.
Al had moved the Delta wheelset over to the other side of the loco (to avoid spoiling the paint job on the Delta frame). Doc is now continuing the job of prepping the wheels, an arduous task as so much dirt accumulates in the wheel pockets.
Al had also managed to remove the large cotter pin securing the piston rod to the crosshead. The piston rod will now need pressing out out of its taper in the crosshead. The piston can then be removed and wear assessments made.
Alan was continuing on the chassis cleaning (and making great tea so I'm told!) whilst Barry and Richard are making progress at the cab end with needle gunning and Phossie applications.
A decision has to be made very shortly as to whether we need to remove all the oil supply pipe work from the cab oil boxes to the axle boxes on either side.
Also some discussion was had regarding leaving all wheel rims unpainted but polished, a very attractive feature and one that the support crew will be able to maintain. It was decided to ascertain whether the wheel rims will polish up i.e. if the turning grooves are too deep, then it's not probably not realistic. So the jury is out on that one at the moment.
DOC and I got involved in sorting out errant tag numbers on the parts list and for those in the mess room at the time there was a lot of talk of cocks-left, right but mostly centre.
The rear cab floor (the part the tender fall plate rests and slides on) is going to be removed an a new checker plate floor fitted. The tender fall plate has sustained some damage whilst shunting around last year , but hopefully will only need straightening."

 

And hopefully you got my reply.

 

@ Spamcan81.
Yes I did get your reply. Thank you. Hope you liked the photos.

 

Thanks for the link. Hope you enjoyed getting up close and personal with the old girl.

 

@Spamcan81
I have a few 35mm slides of her at the NVR, so when I have found them and transferred them over, I will put a link to them on here. It may take a while. It was nice to see her up close again, looks very different with no wheels or no boiler on.

 

P. M. just sent .