GWR 5637 Overhaul Update

The overhaul of GWR 5637 at The East Somerset Railway was originally discussed in a now archived report. Yesterday, in atrocious conditions, marked a major milestone in the programme. The boiler, which had been upside-down was returned to its normal orientation and the frames were rewheeled. The overhaul commenced Oct 2007 is being photo recorded here http://www.eastsomersetrailway.co.uk/ga ... hp?gid=253 .

Boiler work undertaken to date has included removal of wasted smokebox; removal to scrap of front tubeplate; removal, refurbishment and replacement of foundation ring; replacement of approx lower 1ft of throatplate and backhead plate; replacement of wasted inner firebox lap rivets with patch screws; replacement of throatplate and backhead plate down line of outer column of stays where cracks were developing following local weld plate thickening by BR; a new ashpan has been fabricated and trial fitted just prior to returning boiler right-way-up.

Work on frames etc. to date includes thorough strip back to metal and initial repaint; overhaul vacuum brake cylinder; replacement of strengthning brackets behind front buffer beam; truing of horn guides; refurbisment of axleboxes incuding remetaling mainly the thrust faces and adjustment of bronze liners; replacement of righthand stub axle of crank axle due to loose fitting of stub into crank web (this work undertaken by Riley and Sons); many motion bushes are being replaced and new die blocks manufactured; refurbisment and replating rear bunker/water tank.

 

Pleased to hear the overhaul is progressing well. it would be nice to get '37 and '95 paired up again in the not too distant future.

 

What is the realistic timesclae for completion?

 

We hope to complete within a year from now. Will try and keep the forum posted.

 

All the old crown stays have now been removed and new ones installed. They have now to be caulked at both ends. Two photos attached showing view inside boiler over inner firebox and from the outside.

 

The overhaul of 5637 continues to make good progress. The frames, motion, tanks and bunker are nearly complete. This week we have started to cut the small smoke tubes to length using our laser aligned mechanical hacksaw (photo)! They have been entered into the boiler and will be expanded shortly (photo). The flue tubes are due to be fitted in the next week or so.

It is still hoped to complete late spring/early summer.

 

Will the loco return with the correct GW brake valve this time??

 

Yes, both replica GW brake valve and blower valve have been obtained and required pipework internal to boiler re-instated.

 

Good news 32110. I look forward to seeing her back in steam this year.

 

Work is now in hand to fit the flue tubes. Short video of preparations for this can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaNpPufvxSY

 

Very instructive video for me as an amateur, thanks. And so nice to see some detailed and authoritative posts about engineering progress on a restoration. Keep filming if possible, guys, perhaps an edited DVD of the later stages of a restoration might be possible. Couldn't hurt the ESR workshop's profile, I'm sure.

 

All tubes are now completed and boiler now has water to a third of a glass. Only a few minor weeps so far that have been easily cured by light caulking. See last picture on:

http://www.eastsomersetrailway.com/gallery.php?gid=253

 

Today, 12/4/2010, 5637's boiler received both the out of frames hydraulic and steam test certs. Expected completion is early June 2010.

 

Great news! It will be good to see this loco back in service.

 

The boiler, tanks and cab were refitted today, 4 May 2010.

 

Very nice! More good news regarding GWR locomotives!

 

Great to see the loco looking nearly complete again. Doesn't seem like 5 minutes ago I saw her in a similar condition at Blunsdon following restoration - can't believe that was over ten years ago! Is that evidence of BR lined green in the photo above?

 

it sure is

 

Just to let you know the old girl was pottering around Cranmore sheds this weekend, with the overhaul very near completion. She has her formal Steam test this coming thursday, after which a series off running in trials will be completed before her grand re-entry to traffic over the weekend off 5th & 6th June. It is hoped the painting will be completed, but she may appear in unlined BR Green untill after the event. Concluding the weekend, she will return to the workshop for the lining to be completed.

We hope to see you all there over the Vintage Gala weekend and we look forward to welcoming her back where she belongs after 3 years off very hard work.