Saturday Gang Report January-April 2020

Introduction:

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to give an update in these uncertain times.

Obviously work at the Rolvenden shed has halted for the duration of the lockdown, so we haven’t got as much completed as we would have liked. However, we’d still like to keep you updated on what we got done before the lockdown.

Over the last few months, we were working on getting the Terrier 32678 ‘Knowle,’ and our P Class 753 back in shape as soon as possible. I’m guessing that we hope to continue that once it is safe to do so, but for now we can only comment on what we’ve completed so far. So here is the most we can tell you about the state of the locos at present.

Locomotives:

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’- Overhaul on this local continues. The brake rigging has been test fitted and returned to storage. Additionally, a new vertical stretcher has recently been fitted and painted.

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’- This loco remained in service before lockdown. A new brick arch was recently fitted to allow for better steaming.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T  300 ‘Major-General Frank Ross’ (Formerly DS238 ‘Wainwright’)-  Running maintenance was carried out throughout the period. The firebox was reported to be leaking, and later repaired. 

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638-  front axle boxes repaired,

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’- Out of service at the end of its boiler ticket.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  We’ve carried on painting this loco extensively, with at least three new coats across most of the frames and motion. The loco recently received a new bunker from the Isle of Wight, which has been fitted and painted. The right hand air pump has been removed, while components to the reverser have been attached again. The boiler has also been subject to a steam test, in advance of its return. We had hoped to get ‘Knowle’ running in time for the summer season, but since we don’t know if there will even be a summer season now, the loco’s return date depends on many factors..

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- Out of service.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’- Overhaul remains in progress.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  We’ve really stepped up trying to get this loco back in steam. We’ve cleaned the sand boxes, axle boxes and brake hangers. We’ve also spent a few weeks spiriting and painting the boiler, after an extensive cleaning.

Videos:

A video will be shared to the Saturday Gang channel soon covering the progress that was being made on the videos and where we hope things will go once things are up and running again.

Conclusion:

So that covers the last four months (with only really two of actual work!). Check out our YouTube channel and FaceBook page below for any further updates. Best wishes from the Saturday Gang. Stay safe, everyone!

https://www.facebook.com/The-Kent-and-East-Sussex-Railways-Saturday-Gang-346493445395124/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayGangVideos

Saturday Gang Report September-December 2019

Introduction:

Hello and Happy New Year from the Saturday Gang!

Hopefully you have enjoyed your festive season. It has given us at the Gang a chance to take stock of all that has happened this year and look to the new decade.

2019 saw us finally return Austerity 25 ‘Northiam’ to steam after ten years, and also bid a fond farewell to 376 ‘Norwegian’, which has been in service almost as long.

One big change you may have heard about is that December marked the end of the monthly Saturday Gang Video Reports. These have been a constant and regular fixture of our online presence since 2012. But in the new year we will be taking more time to make longer, in depth videos covering specific topics around the shed and Rolvenden yard. However, these blog updates will continue as normal.

On the promotional side, we were fortunate to have one of our volunteers, George Moffat, featured in an article in the Tenterden Terrier winter edition! We’re very grateful that he managed to get our little gang mentioned several times in the piece!

So a lot has been happening on the media side of things. But now let’s take a look at how our locos are looking for the start of 2020.

Locomotives:

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’-  After a brief hiatus, work on this loco has resumed. We began by thoroughly cleaning the piston covers, and cleaning the lubricators, also annealing the associated pipes.

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’-  Remains in service. The Saturday Gang were delighted to join in an RXD (Railway Experience Day) in September, which granted us the opportunity to drive the loco we’d worked on for so long.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T  300 ‘Major-General Frank Ross’ (Formerly DS238 ‘Wainwright’)-  Remains in service with running maintenance throughout the period. This included boiler washouts and the odd cylinder repairs. 

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638-  In service with running maintenance throughout the period. This included reattaching the blast pipe in September.

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’-  This loco has finished its boiler ticket and ended its period of service. December saw ‘Norwegian’s final running days, and the loco was cleaned and covered for the winter. It will be missed.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  The overhaul continues on this loco. Over the last four months we have cleaned the cylinders and slide bars, removed the vacuum hose, reassembled the sand pipe and cleaned and painted the buffer beam. This overhaul is set to continue into the new year.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- Out of service.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’-  The overhaul on this loco continues. Recently the frames have received new layers of paint, and the bunker section of the cab has been reattached.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  Out of service.

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jwV5pH8NAg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAD3WXGAmJg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4E3JYsUqRg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGJjl1YBAvc&t=5s

Conclusion:

Well that covers another year. Our next blog update should be coming around May time, and will hopefully bring some coverage about the next video. Do follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our YouTube channel below if you haven’t already. Until next time, thank you and best wishes from the Saturday Gang!

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https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayGangVideos

Saturday Gang Report May-August 2019

Introduction:

Hello from the Saturday Gang!

Hope you’ve all had a pleasant summer. It’s been rather a different one for us. As well as our continued work on the locomotives at the Kent & East Sussex Railway, we’ve also had a new ongoing project of our own- constructing four new chimney covers for them.

Chimney covers are always placed on locos when they aren’t in steam. The yard was in need of new ones so we took the liberty of constructing a universal design that would fit all the different-sized chimneys and also provide air flow alongside protection from the elements. You can see our progress from bits of boiler cladding to ready components in the last few months’ video reports.

And of course, there has been the usual looking after the locos, so let’s take a look at the state of things on that front.

Locomotives:

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’-  The frames of this loco have seen several new coats of paint. Further work on this loco has slowed to make way for accelerated progress on 14 ‘Charwelton.’

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’-  Remains in service with running maintenance throughout the period, namely topping up the oil.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T  300 ‘Major-General Frank Ross’ (Formerly DS238 ‘Wainwright’)-  This loco has received maintenance several times over the last few months. It has moved back into the shed for further repairs.

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638-  We’ve performed further maintenance on this loco. This includes servicing the frames and repairing the vacuum pump.

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’-  Remains in service.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  We have largely stripped down the Terrier for now. The tanks, boiler bands and barrel have all been removed, along with the front of the cab. The cab and running plate have been thoroughly cleaned for the long process ahead.  Finally the boiler itself was lifted clear via the steam crane, and cleaned and the boiler cladding repainted.

 

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- Out of service. ‘Bodiam’ has been relocated to another railway for its overhaul.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’-  Work is to accelerate on the overhaul of this loco. The springs and frames have been thoroughly cleaned and painted.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  Out of service, no further information.

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVqx56m-wP4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leumGTfXV4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6UPKHGpfwU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoEMSz4_OLc&t=26s

Conclusion:

That more or less covers everything for the summer. We’ll likely return for another blog entry for the end of the year or January 2020, where we might have an announcement of big changes happening in our blog and YouTube channel.

If you haven’t already, do subscribe to our channel or follow our Facebook page. Until next time, do enjoy your Autumn!

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Saturday Gang Report January-April 2019

Introduction:

Greetings from the Saturday Gang! I hope you’ve all enjoyed your Easter, and bank holidays. With summer just around the corner it’s time to look at what the first four months of 2019 have brought us regarding loco maintenance.

Before we begin, apologies about the lack of visuals this month. There have been some technical difficulties in uploading pretty much everything.

So with that out of the way, here is the latest on what we’ve been up to!

Locomotives:

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’-  The overhaul on this loco is gradually proceeding. We’ve removed most components from the frames and retired them to a container for the time being. The frames themselves have been thoroughly cleaned and painted. New layers of undercoat have been applied frequently throughout the period.

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’-  Remains in service, with running maintenance throughout the period; this includes a modification to the spark arrestor in March. ‘Northiam’ was recently used for a Railway Experience Day (RXD) in which a couple of our volunteers were able to ride behind it in a brake van and even get a turn at driving the loco.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T  300 ‘Major-General Frank Ross’ (Formerly DS238 ‘Wainwright’)-  Has remained in service throughout the period with running maintenance to address operational issues.

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638-  Currently under maintenance in the shed. The wheels have been cleaned and repainted, and the axle boxes reshaped to fit the modified axle. We’ve also had a hand in cleaning the tanks extensively.

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’-  Remains in service.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  Overhaul on this loco has begun. We have swept out the boiler tubes and begun removing components from the loco.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- Out of service.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’-  Out of service. Wheels have been moved and the frames are currently mounted outside.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  Out of service. The wheels have received several new coats of paint.

 

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouFjeCX-Ouw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxojFMZX0T0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi20TkmDwn4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBbthn3hzJg

Conclusion:

That about covers it for the first part of 2019. With any luck the next entry in this blog will be arriving around September time. Until then, feel free to like our Facebook page and YouTube channel if you haven’t already. On behalf of the Saturday Gang, have a terrific summer!

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https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayGangVideos

Saturday Gang Report September-December 2018

Introduction:

Seasons Greetings from the Saturday Gang! Another year comes to an end, and 2018 has seen some significant milestones.  We have seen a loco we worked on for years (25 ‘Northiam’) return to service, taking up the slack left when old workhorse 65 ‘Maunsell’ finished its ticket.  And now of course, we work almost weekly to bring 65 back up to speed after years of hard work. 

I’m sure a few of you will have heard of the famous Cavell Van; the wagon that carried the body of the Unknown Warrior 100 years ago. Well this Autumn the Van left its usual home at the Kent & East Sussex Railway for a commemoration of Reverend David Railton in Folkestone. And the Saturday Gang were privileged to play a small part in that. We built the clamps for the temporary rail tracks that would bear the Cavell Van for the duration. A small contribution for sure, but many of our members are grateful to even come close to items of history like that.

 The Cavell Van at Folkestone Harbour, with Saturday Gang-made track!

 Now let’s take a closer look at the progress made on loco maintenance in the last four months of the year.

Locomotives:

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’-  The frames have been lifted clear of the wheels and the wheels removed to a temporary track outside. We also gave the axles and cranks fresh denso tape for insulation. The axle boxes, cylinder drain cocks and release valves have been removed and cleaned. Repairs have also been made to the left hand big end.

As for the frames themselves, 10 years of regular service will naturally bring a little wear and tear.  It was our job to find and clean these areas so they could be welded.  Finally, the frames have been extensively cleaned and repainted all over.

65's frames, clear of the wheels, welded and repainted as of 2912/18

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’-  Our newest completed loco thankfully remains in operation, with routine maintenance carried out throughout the period.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T  300 ‘Major-General Frank Ross’ (Formerly DS238 ‘Wainwright’)-  Remains in service with routine maintenance throughout the period, including tube sweeping and boiler washouts.

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638-  Remains in service.

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’-  Remains in service.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  Our volunteers carried out an inspection on ‘Knowle’ in October. This loco has recently left service for the time being.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- Out of service. New holes were drilled around the edge of the smokebox recently.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’-  Gradual progress is being made on this loco’s overhaul. Our volunteers have constructed and numbered new firebricks for the loco’s firebox brick arch.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  Out of service with an overhaul in progress. In the Autumn we moved the wheels to a temporary track outside the shed.

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhVH8W4jhYo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ3byRHQSLM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZqV9HMH0WE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CuYGgZoI50

Conclusion:

Well that just about sees out 2018! On a personal note, the coming year marks a very special milestone for the editor: August 2019 will mark my ten-year anniversary with the Saturday Gang! Here’s hoping that next year will bring as much joy as that first year did, and the nine that have followed since!

If you haven’t all ready, do like our Facebook page and subscribe to our YouTube account below for all the latest updates as they arrive. Until our next entry in April, wishing you all a Happy New Year from the Saturday Gang!

https://www.facebook.com/The-Kent-and-East-Sussex-Railways-Saturday-Gang-346493445395124/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayGangVideos

Saturday Gang Report May-August 2018

Introduction:

Hello and welcome to Autumn from the Saturday Gang! Winter is just around the corner but at least we can look back at the summer. With particularly nice weather this year we’ve taken full advantage of it to work outside on the likes of 65 and the P Class. Maybe we got a little too used to it as the recent cold and wet spell hit us like a tonne of bricks out there!

Anyway, for more information on what exactly we did with all the sun in our recap on locomotive maintenance and overhauls.

Locomotives:

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’- This loco’s overhaul is now our primary focus. We’re at the stage where the majority of work involves taking the poor thing apart, but it’s all part of the job. So the running plate, cladding, compensation beams, springs and smokebox have all been removed.  Also some damaged rivets were discovered and excised from the boiler. More significantly, the frames have just been jacked up clear of the wheels.

 

65's frames jacked up clear of the wheels

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’-  Our most recent loco to return to service, ‘Northiam’ continues to run, with some running maintenance. A grill is being added to the front end of the firebox, which we’ve laid a little groundwork for.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T  300 ‘Major-General Frank Ross’ (Formerly DS238 ‘Wainwright’)-  Remains in service with running maintenance throughout the period. These include minor adjustments to the smokebox door and some paint on the tube plate in June.

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638-  Remains in service.

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’-  Remains in service with running maintenance throughout the period. Some damaged rivets were found on the foundation ring, which we needle gunned after welding.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  Remains in service.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- Out of service.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’-  This overhaul is coming along gradually. The cladding is off the boiler,  and the frames have been lifted off wheels and repainted. The wheels themselves have also received Denso Tape on the axels for protection.

 

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  This is another overhaul we’re making gradual progress with. Foundation ring was washed out earlier on in the summer, and the wheels have been removed for repair; we’ve protected the axels with Denso Tape as with ‘Charwelton’.  We also took the opportunity to strip down components from the tanks while the weather was so lovely!

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0x9jjFYLmU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvckiyFoN-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyDl1ymzIdg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUk1rg94pdg

Conclusion:

Well that’s two thirds of 2018 over with. With visible progress on our ongoing overhauls, I think we can say that the summer has been something of a success. Do subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook if you haven’t already! Going on past experience I will say that you can expect the next update in January.

Until then, on behalf of the Saturday gang, I hope you enjoy the rest of 2018.

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Saturday Gang Report January- April 2018

Introduction:

Greetings to everyone from the Saturday Gang! Spring is in the air, and the bank holiday weather has actually been pleasant for a change! But don’t think for one second our group of volunteers have rested on their laurels. As you will see, we’ve made some massive strides and passed something of a milestone on our longest running overhaul for the last decade, 25 ‘Northiam’. I won’t keep you any longer- let’s get straight to the locos!

Locomotives:

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’-  It’s back! After nine years of work, Number 25 is in service once more. Seeing our long-standing project pulling trains at last is a great source of pride for our gang. A couple of us have already spent a journey or two behind the loco, and the May Video Report, when completed, will focus on a retrospective of the overhaul. Also, the editors of this blog may have an article published in this summer’s ‘Tenterden Terrier’ about the Saturday Gang’s role in returning ‘Northiam’ to steam. So stay tuned!

WD USA Class 0-6-0T DS238 ‘Wainwright’- This loco is now in operation as LMR 300 ‘Major General Frank Ross.’

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’- Work has begun on bringing this loco back. The first stage with overhauls like this is to strip the loco down almost to the frames. We’ve already removed the boiler tubes, along with the dome cover, clack valve and coupling rods. As it stands, the blast pipe, pistons and brake cylinders have also gone.

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638- No new information on this loco.

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’-  Remains in service.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  Remains in service with running maintenance throughout the period. A few weeks ago, a new joint was fitted to the blast pipe, and one of our volunteers fixed a blocked steam heat valve.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- Out of service.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’- History repeats itself: we’ve begun overhauling the Saturday Gang’s original project from so long ago! As with 65, the loco has been radically stripped down. We’ve taken off the vacuum pipe, guard irons, brake hangers, reverser and The boiler is parted from the frames, and stripped of cladding.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  Out of service.

 

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E0Ej3p9vKc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raMJccstpKg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I1UHNNF4To

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ1RCBlKYTY

Conclusion:

So there we have it. In four months we’ve seen two locos return to steam, and made head way on two new projects. I’ve no doubt you can expect to see more progress on Charwelton and 65 over the next few months, if you follow our YouTube channel.

Our next blog entry will arrive some time in September, but until then you may hear from us in the ‘Tenterden Terrier’ as previously stated.

On behalf of the Saturday Gang, I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

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