12/30/2018

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:






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!


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