STATUS
Present (April 2008 - update)
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The new combustion chamber platework, syphons and new tubeplate await tube fitting |
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Boiler interior with flue tubes in place, main steam pipe from dome/regulator to superheater header. Note new firebox tube plate in the background. |
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Front tube plate with tube ends protruding |
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The boiler top with dome seating and crinolines visible |
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The main steam valve supplying steam to the backhead manifold in the cab bolted into place. |
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The crinolines now adorn the boiler as it awaits tubing on 12th April 2008 |
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April 2008 |
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Recent work has concentrated on the boiler with the machining in house of over forty new crown stays, each nearly three feet in length, for the firebox and their insertion, knocking over and caulking. This was the last area for re-staying in the firebox. Over seven hundred and fifty new stays, both steel and monel metal, have been replaced in the firebox itself and new areas of plate have been welded in on the foundation ring areas and some of the boiler sides. In addition, all the firebox corners and much of the foundation ring have been replaced with new pressings. |
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All the pads on the backhead for the boiler fittings have been ground in and blanking pads have been bolted in place for the boiler hydraulic and steam tests. Both the old, three safety valve seatings (shown left) and the newer two safety valve seatings (see picture below) on the boiler have similarly been ground in and blanked off. |
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The boiler was turned over and moved to the east side of the works to allow the fitting of the new crown stays (left). Some of the 'debris' from the boiler work has fallen into the water space in the firebox and it has been removed using the powerful washout pump. |
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The supports for the main steam pipe in the boiler have been finished and this pipe is now in place. The main steam pipe to the superheater header has been refurbished and has been inserted in the boiler. (The picture shows the boiler before the fitting of the main steam pipe.) |
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The boiler is now the correct way up to enable final beading and caulking of the stays in the combustion chamber area. (Blackmoor Vale, in the background, is undergoing annual maintenance) The new tubes have been cleaned and painted with Apexion paint to inhibit corrosion and it is hoped that re-tubing of the boiler will start shortly. A hydraulic pressure test in the presence of the boiler inspector will be carried out after the completion of the re-tubing and the appropriate blanking off of the backhead outlets for e.g. boiler water gauges and whistle and safety valve seatings on the boiler barrel |
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A new centre firebar carrier, and a spare, have been fabricated for the grate as the old item was well worn! (The photograph shows the old and new items side by side.) |
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Work on the tender has included the replacement of the middle axlebox on the driver's side and the overhaul of the two brake cylinders located at the rear of the tender. Internally, the tender tank has been cleaned and is being recoated with Bitumastic paint to inhibit corrosion. Progress on the locomotive is now hopefully nearing the final stages although there is still a vast amount of finishing touches to complete. |
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January 2008 |
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2008 should see 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair completed and back in traffic for the first time since 1966. |
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The ashpan has been placed on the frames, ready to be fitted to the boiler when work on this is completed. |
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The smoke deflecters have been trial fitted to ensure everything is in the correct place. |
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Work progresses on the firebox, with the bright new stays clearly visible. |
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View of the new stays fitted inside the water space between the firebox and outer wrapper. |
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The chimney petticoat casting with integral ejector exhaust being machined. |
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The right-hand cylinder and motion ready-to-go! |
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PREVIOUS REPORTS