Industrial Loco Updates

Bellerophon is back in one piece at the South Devon and undertaking test/running in prior to returning to Foxfield.

 

Bellerophon now on her way back to Foxfield via the M5/M6 today

 

Bagnall 2746 The Duke

The springs have been sent away for overhaul. Four of the wheels have been cleaned down and primed. The 8F lads have succeeded in extracting the regulator valve, regulator rod and J-pipe. A full set of firebars have been ordered through Locomotive Management Services at Loughborough and the new set of oil pads has arrived from the NYMR.

Tim

 

Bagnall 2746 The Duke

The weather has been a lot warmer and drier than we had expected; five wheels now in primer. Firebars due for delivery later this week.

It is very good to hear that Bellerophon is back in action.

Regards,

Tim Oaks

 

Bellerophon has now had a full load test and proving line run at Foxfield with no problems apparent so will be accepted back into traffic and rostered in due course.

 

I'm advised that Jennifer is unlikely to work again at Embsay for the foreseeable future, as its got serious firebox problems. Such a shame as I had heard good reports about it. It had arrived at the railway with axlebox box problems but Llangollen who manage the engine had repaired the damage very quickly.

 

Does anyone know how Desmond I getting on at Llangollen?

 

Vulcan Progress
A new dome cover has arrived and was due to be fitted last weekend. The loco is likely to be at Beamish next spring. Latest reserch indicates it ought to be green.

Bagnall 2746 The Duke
All wheels now cleaned down and primed. A serious start has been made on cleaning the gunge off the frames.

Tim

 

Vulcan Steaming dates: Vulcan will be in steam at Barrow Hill 0n 8th/9th February, with various LNER pacifics as supporting attractions. After that it is due to go to Beamish for Easter.

Bagnall 2746 progress: springs are currently with Jones Bros of Darlaston for overhaul; due back in February. Five wheels now in undercoat.

Tim

 

I saw Austerity No 22 at the GCR yesterday. Does anyone know why it is there? Thank you.

 

The boiler inspector recently examined AB 1719, 'Lady Nan', with all tubes out and passed the boiler fit for a re-tube. We hope this will begin early in the new year.

 

Jennifer/Sam Fox Number 20 Will be operating trains at Embsay On the last Two Sundays In January as my provisional roster stands atm.

 

Boiler drawings for Robert Heath No.6 have been obtained from the Bagnall records by Dave Donkin . These will be used for patterns for the new crown girders.

 

The firebox problems couldn't have been that serious, then?

 

Colin McAndrew is scheduled for a run out on Jan 1st too,

The melter

 

Hello, Whitwell and Reepham took delivery of the loco this year.

 

2746 The Duke
Santa has left us a full set of firebars which are now safely tucked away. The short term target is to be ready for re-wheeling the frames as soon as possible; does anyone know the correct grade of steel for use in spring and brake hanger pins and their associated bushes?

Happy New Year.

Tim

 

Hunslet 3193

Its the loco's 70th birthday this November and we are becoming increasingly confident that 3193 will be back on the rails with steam issuing forth if not in November 2014 then pretty soon after. Our boilermaker has had the go ahead from the boiler inspector to re-attach the firebox and begin putting the tubes back in. Having dismantled the motion and other bottom end components they are being re-fitted having been appropriately re-furbished.

More to follow as progress continues

Andrew M

http://www.norfolksteamloco.co.uk

 

Bagnall 2746 The Duke.
First working party of 2014 last saturday. 6 wheels in undercoat, two rear sandboxes removed and one cleaned and primed. Appropriate grade of steel identified as EN8, 6 metres of 50mm bar ordered for machining into imperial pins.

Tim