30777 to be overhauled

Work on 777 had been paused whilst there was a possible asbestos investigation. Now work has been restarted but the bogie is still not replaced under the tender. I think the boiler work has been done in terms of rivetting, but it still needs all the small and large tubes to be installed.

 

The boiler is still outside the shed, the tender is still awaiting its front bogie to be put in place, there is more work being done on the chassis., there is no motion, valves or pistons in place.

 

Here is the boiler outside and rest of the locomotive inside the shed.

 

There has been more work done on the chassis, between the frames, so steady progress - with the hope that it may be in steam in the latter part of next year.

 

This is a view of the other side of the boiler.

 

There has been more prepping and painting of the frames and the motion has been cleaned but not installed. Work has been done on the piston valves, but no rings fitted yet. The front tender bogie looks complete but is still in front of the tender. Work has been done on the brake brackets.

 

Interestingly in the latest issue of MainLine there is to be a "Sir Lamiel" centenary event on June 21st. The frames have been prepped and painted with much of the motion ready to be put back on. The boiler is due to have its tubes fitted soon. Could it be steaming in the Summer?

 

Very unlikely, unfortunately. The boiler needs to have 2 rows of roof stays replaced, which requires the removal of 2 sections of boiler plate to access the stays. The tender needs lifting so that the rear bogie can be taken out and overhauled. See latest update here:
https://www.sirlamiel.org.uk/2024/12/02/october-2024/

Current estimate for a return to service (according to the latest 5305LA newsletter) is spring 2026.

 

To emerge as 30777?

Bryan B

 

Not sure it could come out as anything else if it's going to be in BR Green? I mean, if it was in Malachite it could carry either a SR or BR identity...

 

Interesting that they have to cut open the boiler again, to replace the crown stays. It seems a drastic measure.

Is the boiler of fundamentally different design to those others remaining in preservation fitted to the S15's both Urie and Maunsell types.

Im sure that when the Urie group did a comprehensive rebuild of 506's boiler at Ropley they managed to replace the crown stays from inside the boiler barrel using a fabricated tool to get access to them. It wasn't easy mind from what I remember from the report by the guys that did it.

 

I seem to recall the same was done with 825’s boiler when the front sling stays were done. The alternative is to gut the boiler. It’s not a big job to cut a couple of access holes and then replace them.

 

The boiler is still outside the shed but has had more work done in preparation for the tubes to be fitted. It now looks smarter with the firebox painted as well.

 

Arevthose the 'crinolines' for the cladding ? not much room for insulation is there....