GWR 5637 Overhaul Update

Great news! Looking forward to June 6th! I first headed your way when the Standard 4 and the 9f were in residence and much as I love both locos, they were a tad powerful for the line. 5637 is an ideal match of loco and location!

 

Cabside on current auction:

http://www.railwayana.net/PhoneAuction/Mayy_10/lots201-300/lotpages/lot249.htm

 

5637 passed its final boiler test yesterday (4/6/2010) and will now be gently re-introduced to normal traffic.

 

The locomotive was re-introduced to traffic today with a brief ceremony at Cranmore. Wonderful to hear the 56xx once again on the ESR 1 in 56.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJezM-WJtRA

 

Now that it is 5 years since 5637 returned to traffic following its overhaul and therefore halfway through the boiler certificate, it is expected to be re-tubed early next year following Santa duties. This is being done to maximise the use of the second set of tubes and not because of any current problems.

 

Preparatory work has now started since Christmas on the re-tube. Firebox arch has been dropped and smokebox cleared of all fittings.

 

All the tubes are out and a new grate has started to be laid. (10 firebars)

 

What sort of water treatment do you use? We generally reckon to get 9 or 10 years fairly hard use out of tubes with RO water.

 

I'm not entirely sure what water treatment we use but as the loco has been the by far the most used engine over the past 5 years at the ESR, the railway does not want to run the risk of losing the loco mid-season especially considering 46447 is not really powerful enough to haul 5 coach services. (Please note only the small tubes are being replaced.)

 

Water treatment is soda ash and tannin. Water at Cranmore is fairly hard being a limestone area.

 

Just read through the overhaul in 2009, a very thorough job!

 

Spent a very pleasant (???) day in the firebox yesterday polishing the tube holes. ;-)

 

5637 returned back into service last Sunday, 6th March.

 

Congratulations. Would love to see a photo...

 

Taken this morning (130316)

 

A replacement smokebox door will be fitted to 5637 over the next week or two. We will be removing the heavily wasted one tomorrow and start releasing various items for use on new door.

 

Old door successfully taken down and most of the parts (hinges, number plate brackets, shed plate, etc) to be used on the new door have been removed and cleaned ready for re-fitting.

 

New smokebox door fitted and painted.