46447 Overhaul

What strikes this non-engineer is that the people who selected this particular example from all the doubtful stuff at Barry must have known what they were doing. Cylinders and slidebars aligned to within one thou. suggest something which was extremely well assembled when new. A firebox with no stays in need of replacement is also impressive.

In addition, there are places with a higher profile than Cranmore that ought to view the rate of progress being achieved with a little bit of introspection.

P.H.

 

In the early days, a loco would be carefully examined, as far as possible in the conditions, to see if it was in good condition, especially around the firebox, and if doubtful the preservationists would move on to the next engine, possibly of the same class, and try that. Firebox work, thin tyres and other such items were deemed to be beyond the scope of repair in the post-BR steam era and relegated a particular engine to the unrepairable category. Of course, all this 'going only for the best' would come undone at the first ten year overhaul.

As 'good' engines were eventually purchased, those people wanting to preserve an engine were forced to consider the less mechanically or boiler sound examples so they too went into preservation. Some of these rough engines have since led very fruitful working lives on preserved lines and, sometimes, main lines.

 

And of course, some of you took on the last member of a class! What sort of state was 42968 in?

 

Its also a reminder how much of a free ride the various heritage railways have had down the years, existing off the residual life in components that were scrapped ahead of thier useful working life ending. We're now starting to see very expensive and heavy overhauls being done because that life has been used up and consequently the sort of overhauls that would have been done by BR are having to be carried out. That is why I am amazed that the KWVR, for example, have loaned out 45212 for little or no benefit to themselves-, they've given away all that residual life for minimal return, and why I cannot understand the naivety of those who call for this or that loco to be loaned to another group who will steam it. Unless it is in poor condition to begin with, they'd be making a very generous gift of the residual life in the componenets that coul only be recovered by their eventual repalcement.

I'm not criticising the IoWSr and ESR for this arrangement , by the way - they've both got something out of it.

 

All of the new stay nuts in the firebox have now been fitted. This is over 1000 nuts in total!


In the last few weeks the new smokebox has started to take shape, with holes being cut for the chimney, blastpipe and steam pipes. The original front ring has been riveted into place.

 

Guys, I know this is probably more a question for the Quainton bods, but which shed were they held in there? I could never figure that one out, based on a couple of visits and several pictures!

 

The big shed on the north side of the line, the two (?) northernmost roads were where the Ivatts were based. It was separated from the rest of the shed, and normally securely locked up. Not even a crack in the doorway to see what was inside the first time I went!

 

There can't be many fireboxes left in that condition after nearly 50 years.

 

The new doubling plates and the self cleaning fittings have now been riveted into the new smokebox.


The sand boxes have been repaired with new plate work as required and have now been painted ready for fitting.

 

Good progress is still being made!


Replacement pony truck axlebox underkeeps have been fabricated to replace the missing bronze originals.


Paul fits new studs into the backhead of the boiler.


The tender scoop mechanism has now been completed and is fully functional. Here the scoop is in the raised position.


Here the scoop is in the lowered position.


The cab doors have been overhauled and in the case of the fireman's side, renewed. All of the original fittings were recovered and straightened etc before being rivetted onto the new steel panels.

 

Good to see your ongoing progress and thanks for posting the updates.

As the water scoop is now oerational, will you be installing water troughs for it to work with? I'd love to see them in operation some time.

Nick

 

The East Somerset Railway is all on a gradient, apart from a couple of hundred feet at the summit of the line, so sadly there is nowhere suitable on our line to install a water trough. It would be interesting to see the water scoop in action though.

 

An idle thought. A stream flows downhill so could a stream be diverted into troughs on a falling gradient? Not sure how to arrange it simply to ensure a constant flow and depth of water, though!

 

Repairs to the two back laps in the inner firebox by copper welding were started today and should complete tomorrow. Due to the specialised nature of copper welding this task is being undertaken by contract.

http://www.eastsomersetrailway.com/gallery.php?gid=318 continues to show progress photographically.

Over the weekend 8/9 June the holes were prepared and patch screws fitted, this work being performed by Cranmore volunteers.

 

Looks like a very neat job.

 

Could I suggest that you look at this site? A few interesting shots on this page!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95062750@N04/

 

Thanks for posting this link. I found 3 shots of "our" locos - please let me know if you have found more.

 

We visited East Somerset on Saturday - very impressed with the speed of progress on the loco and tender - you guys are going great guns. Sounded like lots was going on in (we beat a quick retreat from all the noise in the repair shed!), in between your waving duties at all of us on the trains! Keep up the good work.

 

The noise you heard was most likely caused by riveting brackets, angle strip etc. to the new right hand cab side. It has been decided to preserve the original as it is still in its ex-BR condition and the materials cost for replacement was relatively low.

 

Nice to see photographs of continuing progress on your website http://www.eastsomersetrailway.com/gallery.php?gid=318 the small bore pipework in particular looks very neat.