5542

You asked Ian so here goes.............. yesterday5542 ran what is expected to be its last day of service for the time being, at the SDR. Having completed 58 days service (plus 10 at the G/WR) this year and has again proved popular with crews and public, very economical and 100% reliable in operation.(A relatively quiet year by our usual standards) Unless any last minute offers of Christmas work arrive in the next couple of weeks winter maintenance this year will probably start in mid November and be restricted to replacement axlebox pads on the driving wheels and possibly manufacture of some 'front end' components for the 'Auto Gear' if time allows. The yearly boiler exam will take place soon after Christmas and movement to the G/WR should happen in early Spring ready for their season. The loco should remain based at Toddington(subject to possible Gala visits) until the Autumn when an intermediate overhaul has been arranged at Buckfastleigh.

5542 has now seen over 510 operational days in preservation covering some 35,000 miles in the process.

John Wood.

 

5542 has today returned to the SDR workshops at Buckfastleigh following a sucessful season at the G/WR. 2007 saw 65 days of use bring the total operational days since restoration to over 570. A packed program of winter work gets underway early tomorrow morning when the 'bottom end' overhaul starts in earnest. New driving wheel tyres, axlebox overhaul, frame repairs and various other work is in the plan which is scheduled for completion by 29th Febuary ready for a long awaited return to WSR metals for a 6 week stay in spring next year. Keep up to date with progress at http://www.loco5542.co.uk

John.

 

Work now continues apace with the last two old tyres removed and the first of the replacements fitted today. A new set of springs have been delivered in the last few days so all major components are now on site and available for fitting. Pistons and valves have been removed for checking and replacement rings are being fitted along with preparation for frame repairs and strengthening now being progressed. Further updates and pictures will be available in the next few days at http://www.loco5542.co.uk

John

 

After 150 days in the SDR workshops at Buckfastleigh the Winter overhaul of the 'Bottom End' of 5542 is now nearing completion. The amount of work that has been completed during the winter is nothing short of miraculous and must put them in the 'Big League' of providers of workshop facilities. Everything we have asked of them has been dealt with in a friendly, competent and professional manner. Work undertaken has included re tyring all 10 wheels, axlebox re mettaling, horns, frame strengthening and motion overhaul. Pony truck refurbishment and Auto Gear modification has also been carried out together with valve and piston ring replacement, side rod and connecting rod re bushing, (not to mention a continual flow of retyring work for other locos as well). Finally the annual boiler test has also been completed. Phew!!!

Its now back to the WSR for their Gala (carring a BR guise) and 6 weeks of running prior to resuming our ongoing contract at The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for the remainder of 2008 interspersed with a visit or two to other Galas during the year.

John