At the end of March we started our running season and as such its been busy getting everything prepared and ready. We were hoping to be able to start "de-winterising" the locos but the bitterly cold temperatures have meant that we're still using frost precautions. These frost precautions prevent damage to the many precious components on a steam locomotive.
The Saturday Gang has continued to make steps forward with 25 Northiam's overhaul. Happily during March we began the reassembly process. All of the preparatory work has come together and the first few parts of the motion have been refitted. The slide valves are now in position: reassembly is a time consuming and heavy process and has to be very accurate otherwise the loco simply won't go!
The motion reassembly literally "getting of the ground". This is the valve gear beign lifted up onto the frames for installation |
Re machined slide bars now in place |
Looking in towards 25's cylinder block, note the newly installed slide bars |
Much like the Forth road bridge painting project! |
Further machining has been taking place and more components are being prepared for reassembly. Putting a steam locomotive back together is much like completing a jigsaw puzzle, all the various parts fit together but they will only go together properly in a certain way.
Machining works on 25's pistons continuing |
Note one of 25's new pistons being skilfully machined |
Elsewhere in the workshop, the overhaul of 376 Norwegian is progressing with a few of having a steam test in early - mid April. It will be very good to have Norwegian back after a 7 year absence from traffic. Not forgetting of course that the Saturday Gang overhauled Norwegian's tender (quite a novelty given she is the only tender engine we have!) and has assisted on the loco with various tasks.
376 Norwegian - due to be tested soon! |
Looks complicated - and it is! |
A video showing March's work can be found here: March 2013 Video Report
Photos as always can be found at: www.kesrloco.co.uk
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Saturday Gang