STATUS
Present (July 2008)
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No. 21C123, Blackmoor Vale has been withdrawn from traffic due to stay problems and the condition of the inner firebox. The locomotive has run for almost eight years since its return to traffic after the last overhaul was completed in August 2000. It is probable that a new innner firebox wil be required at its next overhaul. |
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May 2008 |
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Blackmoor Vale's tender middle axle spring, on the fireman's side, has been replaced. |
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No.21C123 during the Built in Brighton weekend hauling the Golden Arrow leaving Horsed Keynes on its way to Kingscote. |
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April 2008 - update |
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21C123 has returned to traffic after passing its boiler test - see below. |
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Both safety valves lift for Blackmoor Vale's annual boiler inspector's examination on 12th April 2008; the locomotive passed it's test! |
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Workshop staff and the boiler inspector check that all is well in the smokebox area. |
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No. 21C123 hauls the Golden Arrow on Sunday 13th April and is seen here north of Leamland Bridge |
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April 2008 |
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No. 21C123 is due to have its annual insurance boiler inspection in the next few weeks. Currently all the brake blocks/shoes on both the engine and tender are being renewed. |
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The problems with the incomplete closing of the regulator have been solved by removing the regulator body from the boiler, when it was noted that the fault was due to wear on the main valve seating which was also machined well over depth. In addition, the pilot valve was found to have a worn seating face and to have been machined back too far. Correction involved machining a new seating for the pilot valve and a screw-in cast iron removable base fitted to the main valve - as on the original drawing. Minor modifications were made to the height to compensate for the back machining of the pilot valve. The pilot and main valve have been lapped together and the nut and washer at the base of the pilot valve have been machined to give the correct 1/8 inch movement of the pilot valve. The regulator has been reinstalled and checked against the drawing to confirm that both valves move appropriately. Repairs have also been undertaken to the grate, where the cast iron grate 'f'ingers' have burnt through and are being replaced with new fabricated and bolted in sections. |
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January 2008 |
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21C123 Blackmoor Vale has been winterised after working the busy Christmas period. Routine maintance will be carried out before its return to traffic in the spring. The picture above shows 21C123 (named O.V.S. Bulleid) hauling the Golden Arrow on 16th December 2007. |
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