Industrial Loco Updates

Following on from Jon's post above, more Foxfield loco news:

Wimblebury is having a new bunker fabricated as part of her overhaul and a P&V exam alongside realigning the slidebars, the boiler is almost ready for tubing having had repairs to the foundation ring and outer corners.

Beyer Peacock 1827 is being lifted to try and identify an ongoing issue with the rear axle.

Dubs crane tank 4101 is having maintenance work carried out on the motion and also the slidebar alignment checked.

 

Damn damn damn, the mini is arriving tomorrow and we already have the stick.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 No 2138 'Swordfish' ran under her own power for the first time since 1964 yesterday! A great day for all involved at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

 

And here is a video! Sorry about the bad quality - Phone cameras.....

 

Good work. I particularly like what looks like a "Not to be Moved" board on the back of the engine....

 

That smokebox sticks out a long way, even for a Barclay!

 

HC1752 now with boiler.

 

At Foxfield a protective coat of paint has now been applied to Robert Heath No.6's inside frames.

Florence No.2 has had tank and cab lifted and cladding/lagging removed ahead of a boiler lift later in the year when Wimblebury's boiler is ready to go back in the frames.

Jon

 

Just wondering, do any of the Foxfield contributors know if there any plans to overhaul Henry Cort @ Foxfield, or is it likely to remain as an exhibit for the foreseeable future?

 

Nigel will probably know more Gaz but I don't think there are any plans at present. I believe there are some challenging firebox cracks which were discovered back in the mid-seventies which dashed hopes for a quick overhaul. It's a shame as the Society reaches 50 years of operation next year and Henry was the loco that started it all off , but he will be restricted to a walk-on (roll-on?) part in the celebrations.

Jon

 

As Jon says, no plans to overhaul Henry Cort at present. Plenty of other work going on though and projects in the pipeline including the restoration of Ackton Hall No3 in the near future.

 

While we're talking about Foxfield how is Marston Thompson & Evershed No.3 coming along? The owner seemed to be making steady if slow progress when it left the GCR but that was many, many years ago now.

 

Haha yes it does! The reason being is because the ejector pip was replaced from using 1" pipe to 2" pipe to create a better system, it works exceptionally well. Though because of the larger pipe, it needed a longer smokebox

 

Still progressing. The frames have been painted and lined, all the motion is overhauled and ready to be refitted. The boiler has been moved as part of the craning session that saw Florence No.2's tank and cab removed at the weekend, and is awaiting some re-staying and the foundation ring refitted prior to tubing. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before she sees steam again.

 

I'll have to pop down and see what you chaps are up to one of these days. And if you fancy seeing what she'll do maybe you would like to bring her on a visit to Foxfield

 

That would be grand, our operating season starts again in March, I hope to see Swordfish running by April. Come on down, have a chat with her owner and i'm sure Foxfield could be a good place to visit

 

Bagnall 2746 "The Duke"

Another very good day; Wirksworth very busy with lots of younger volunteers busy in the yard on various projects. All the crown stays have now been cut out, David Wright will be visiting shortly to review the preparation work. We have been working on the top of the cylinder block; the remains of the old studs have been removed and the next job here will be to ensure the fit of the smokebox floor plates. Bronze bushes for the valve rods being machined and should be ready soon.

Tim

 

Bagnall 2746
Now has new bronze valve guide bushes pressed in , need oil holes drilling and then refit all respective valve gear. John has started needle gunning round the top of cylinders, Alen and Rob fitted the coupling rod collars and taper cotters to the firemans side , waiting a shunt to fit drivers side rods. Mick has started to chop and prepare copper stays ready for despatch to Mr Wrights workshop, some more preparation will be needed to A: speed things up B: save money !!!

 

I noticed on a visit the other that Hawthorn Leslie 'Achilles'/'Pony', which was put on the market last year, has now left Chatham Dockyard. Anybody know where it's gone?

 

Bagnall 2746 "The Duke"

The valve rod guide with its shiny new bushes has been bolted back into place, thanks to Rob Simon and Alen, the valve rods have been inserted and assembled with the die blocks and radius links. The slop and shake has gone and it is all one smooth firm sliding fit. John has been working on the smokebox floor plates which will need some trimming to fit, especially around the main steam pipe flange.

Tim