66xx no.6695

Correct, the last plan I saw was 1946 GWR livery.

 

I like the sound of that, I don't think I can remember seeing a 56xx operational in GWR livery! A little extra reasoning to swing by and see her!

 

I believe you're spot on there, I wasn't part of the conversation, but I heard discussions of 1940's.

 

Didn't the Didcot 56xx carry GW livery before it blew a flue?

Sent from my Lenovo TB-X606F using Tapatalk

 

It may have done, but that was a couple of decades before I came on the scene so I've only ever seen it static

 

This is 6697 in 2020 showing what I think is an unshaded 1942-1947 livery.: -

I think it was in the 1906-1934 "Great Western" livery in the 1970's.
(picture grabbed from the Preserved British Steam Locomotives website)

 

It was indeed. I last saw it in steam at Didcot in July 1977 before the superheater flue collapsed causing 6697's withdrawal.
Ray.

 

Another big push on 6695 today saw all the cladding fitted. In the coming days it will all be rubbed down and undercoated. Another day closer to steaming!

Enjoy some more pics!

 

Today saw a big push in 6695's overhaul.

Both tanks are now fitted and the chimney has been removed for repair and painting. The cab controls etc have also begun taking shape.

 

A quiet weekend today on 6695 as many of us are on well earned holidays.

The smokebox has been cleaned and undercoated. Cab roof has been cleaned and also coated. Hopefully next weekend it will be fitted to the loco!

 

A small team on site today have sprayed the cab roof in it's first coat today, in preparation for moving to the paint shop later in the summer.

 

Interested to hear that you've sprayed it, for whatever reason I probably wouldn't have expected spraying to be used in a heritage railway context. No idea why and no reason why you can't if it does the job though

 

The chap who's sprayed it, also sprayed Foremarke Hall when her restoration was complete and it looked fantastic then. So we thought we'd give it a go with 6695.

 

Last Sunday saw further work completed by the small but dedicated steam loco dept at Blunsdon on the S&CR.

The Cab roof has been fitted as has drivers side sanding gear and splasher. Brake blocks were also fitted with new bearings machined. The superheater header has also been fitted and the elements will go in this coming Sunday 19th. Injector pipwork has also been fitted and cab controls are slowly going in. She's looking more and more like a loco as each day passes. All being well, we may see her move under her own steam in July.

 

Another busy, but wet Sunday at Blunsdon.

Today 6695 took another step closer to steam, with the team achieving the following:

Fitting brake blocks,
Oil pots and pipwork fitted for axle boxes,
Superheater elements fitted
main steam pipes fitted - new studs machined on site for these,
front buffer beam painted,
chimney undercoated,

Not much longer to wait!

 

Very interesting layout of the superheater header, I haven't seen inside the smokebox of a WR loco before! Thank You for sharing these Azrall!

Richard.

 

You're very welcome!
Obviously there's more to go in there yet, Blastpipe, blower ring, spark arresstor - gets a bit cramped in the end!

 

Apologies for the lack of updates, we've been busy beavering away putting the finishing touches onto 6695.

Today saw the completion of the cab (sans floor) and completion of the Smokebox internals. She was moved to our engine shed at Hayes Knoll a few hours ago in readiness for her paint job. We are now DAYS away! Exciting times.

 

Out of curiosity, what is the pipework going backwards and forwards on the underside of the cab roof?

Steve B