Saturday Gang January 2013 Report
Welcome to the
Saturday Gang's January 2013 update. We've been busy "behind the
scenes" and have plenty to report.
Hopefully you're
aware that the Saturday Gang's current main project is the 10 year overhaul of
25 Northiam. Having dismantled all of the motion and started the long process
of de-rusting the frames late in 2012 it shouldn't surprise you we're still at
it! However during January we have made excellent progress and have continued
to plug away at this long and sometimes arduous job. However, without
de-rusting and painting the frames we cannot progress with reassembly and
repairs. Once the motion and frames are all reassembled it will be impossible
to paint the frames again, so we need to ensure our work lasts 10 years till
the next overhaul. Trying to access the frames whilst the loco is in service is
quite tricky!
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| One of many volunteers de-rusting 25's frames |
"January has
been a productive month. There's something to be said for days when all
volunteers, old and new, regardless of qualification just band together and
power through one job. I refer to the successive weeks spent cleaning up 25's
frames and painting them. People may wonder why a month's worth of the same job
does not become boring or demoralising. The answer is quite simple; every
Saturday morning we come into the shed and see 25 looking a certain way, and in
the evening when we leave it looks a little bit newer each time. Over this
month we've seen our loco's condition improve a little each week, to the extent
that it now has at least one fresh coat of paint on either side. That's
something to take pride in"
.J Allen
The above quote
summarises the feeling of the Gang at the moment. Yes our work on 25 could be
seen as repetitive (and seemingly never ending!) but we really have a strong
desire to return 25 Northiam to service. Our enthusiasm and determination is
stronger than various challenges and problems the overhaul throws at us.
Just to summarise
all the works carried out on 25 Northiam throughout January, with a few
pictures to illustrate
· Top coat in red all of the inside of the frames
· Derusting, cleaning and preparing the outside of
the frames for painting (a massive job!)
· First coat of red oxide applied to both sides of
the frames
· Manufacturing of new components in machine shop,
through this we have provided some basic training on lathe operation.
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| Painting 25's frames, note them being filmed as well! |
The Saturday Gang
has continued to provide support and assistance on various running repairs on
different locomotives. After Christmas and January is the loco dept's shutdown
period where we can draw breath and catch up with running repairs and
outstanding works. The locomotives are also winterised to prevent frost damage
and as far as possible, protect them from the worst of the elements. We don't
mind winterising the locos but if anybody has a spare £500,000 for a new loco
shed then feel free to donate!
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| Note the blankets protecting the key components |
One of our major
efforts has been carrying out cleaning and some minor repairs to 1638 (Pannier)
which was used quite extensively over the Christmas period. Again, not glorious
work but very necessary.
 |
| 1638 under repair, after a busy Christmas period |
Videos from January
can be found at:
- "Work in motion" - A video show the big effort on 25's frames
- "25's frames and lathe tutorial" - Video showing the lathe in use and a bit more frame painting!
If you haven't
already, please "like" us on facebook: Saturday Gang Facebook Page
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| Plenty going on at at Rolvenden, 25 Northiam facing camera |
We'd also like to
appeal for more volunteers. A few extra people even once a month would make so
much difference. No skills or experience is required and we welcome people of
all ages and backgrounds. So if you're interested please get in touch.
We'll be back with
February's news in early March. It should make interesting reading as work on
reboring the cylinders will begin, along with repairs to the running plates and
much more!
Thank you for
reading,
Saturday Gang
