SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

You may depend on the professionalism of Bridgnorth Works Staff.

 

Picture on Twitter @svrofficialsite 14/6/12 of 1501 showing recent progress, prior to fitting of new bunker assembly.

Twitter / svrofficialsite: 1501 showing recent progre

Patrick

 

Update on a number of locomotives at Bridgnorth, courtesy of Steve Owen's post on the SVRA website:

The Bugle

The news about 42968 being particularly welcome.

 

Interesting to note that the new rods for 813 are going to be cut from plate, rather than forged. Providing the material is right, to me, this is the right way to go but I wonder whether the certifying bodies would accept it for main line locos?
I also note that the intention is to have them water jet cut 'to finished size.' My experience of water jet cutting is that you can accurately profile one plane but the other can't be cut by water jetting as the nozzle can't follow the varying height. The profile is not a true right-angle, either, as the jet spreads slightly as it makes the cut so it is advisable to allow for a finishing machine cut. I may be talking rubbish, though, as things may have moved on and the equipment is now more sophisticated.

 

Water jet cutting from ingots I believe has been the process taken by the 32424 group at Bluebell. Perhaps their part of the BR website might provide a few answers?

 

Beachy Head's motion components were water jet cut from forged blanks and then fully machined.

 

The new parts for Manston's valve gear were water-cut and fully machined. https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/Restoration2012#5723518939799775410

 

What is the latest with 34053? Haven't heard anything for a while.

 

Can anyone confirm that D821 Greyhound and 20188 were in operation today covering for unavailable steam locos

Thanks

 

not sure about today, but sadly they were yesterday

 

No, on Sunday D8059 was covering for 43106, D821 and D8188 were out Saturday covering for 7812 and 43106. 7812, which blew a superheater element on friday, was fixed after a superhuman effort by Bridgnorth works and was back in service on the evening train to Kiddy on Saturday.

 

34053 is depicted on the svr forum with part of the cladding and lagging removed from the front of the barrel at one side. Fingers crossed this is not going to turn into a "boiler out" job.

 

Boiler hopefully staying in frames apparently (dont quote me on it however) riveting was being done yesterday to fix a minor glitch in the completion process i believe.

 

There is also an account from Duncan Ballard, Boiler Shop Manager, regarding the current state of play with 34053, so there's no need for speculation.

I have PM'd the necessary people to get permission to post it on here.

 

Yes I've seen that on the SVR forum; It is the first official update since the loco arrived on the SVR some seven weeks ago. Thats how speculation starts and grows.....

Fingers crossed now it is on the home straight. Looks magnificent stood in Bridgnorth yard.

 

Yes, the usual caveat is that it will be ready when its ready.

 

If you'll forgive me, comments wondering about whether boilers have to be taken out don't help with the speculation...

However, I do agree with you that there was too long a gap between the last update and this latest one.

 

Latest 4150 update here:

The 4150 Fund : Restoring GWR Large Prairie Tank Locomotive no 4150

 

I'm delighted to report that the repairs to 2857's boiler are now complete, pending a hydraulic test (hopefully this week) followed by a steam test. We are pleased with the standard of work carried out by the boiler shop staff, aided at times by 28' volunteers. They can't be faulted and neither would we want to fault them. Now comes the not at all eye watering proposition of putting it all back together again! We are now on the homeward straight and can look forward to having an active 28 raising the echoes down the valley in the very near future, releasing a little pressure on the working fleet as a result.

 

As promised, herewith an update from Duncan Ballard of Bridgnorth MPD dated 27th June 2012. Hope it clears up a few points. Please bear in mind that his comments regarding people being realistic were aimed at the thread on which this was originall posted:

"EX SR Battle of Britain Class No 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ is receiving further remedial work subject to completion of Part 2 of its Insurance Examination.

Work is focusing on tooling of leaking smokebox tubeplate rivets, which were changed during its recent overhaul. Other work has focused on pipework and fittings, all of which are new.

Can people not be realistic and understand that it is not a ‘showroom car’ ready to drive but a steam locomotive that has had a substantial six figure sum spent on it, to transform it from a derelict wreck to a complete locomotive.

Nobody can achieve perfection with a steam locomotive, not even the ‘Big Four’.

We are working together with Southern Locomotives Limited to ensure the locomotive enters traffic as soon as practically possible. However it needs a final insurance examination (in Steam) and full SVR Examinations in line with our Safety Management System.

I'm sure all people using this Forum will be interested in the progress, and when time is available updates are available on the Severn Valley Railway Engineering Website.
Severn Valley Railway Locomotive and Carriage Engineering Services

Duncan Ballard, Boilershop and Locomotive Hire Manager, Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) Plc. 27th June 2012"