We are a group of volunteers who volunteer with the Kent and East Sussex Railways locomotive maintenance and overhaul dept. We work in a fun and relaxed environment but whilst carrying out essential work on the KESR locos. We have been working for 4yrs and comprise around 10 - 15 members. If what you see interests you then why not consider volunteering with us? We welcome people of all ages, skills and backgrounds. No previous experience is necessary!
Many people often wonder what the status of the Kent & East Sussex Railway's locomotive fleet is. What is in service, what's in storage, what's under overhaul etc.
Here's an update with a photo of each of our locos in current condition.
Under overhaul / out of service
376 Norwegian - In the final stages of a 10yr overhaul. Should be back in summer 2013
25 Northiam - Overhaul well underway, boiler complete and frame reassembly is beginning.
DS238 Wainwright - Overhaul is underway with works on the boiler in progress
753 P Class - Currently dismantled, awaiting overhaul to start.
24 Rolvenden, currently in store in Sewage Works sidings. We hope the overhaul of 24 will begin once 376 Norwegian is complete though this is to be confirmed.
In service
3 Bodiam - In service. Boiler ticket expires 2016
32678 Knowle - In service. Boiler ticket expires 2019
23 Holman F Stephens - In service. Boiler ticket expires 2013
1638 - In service. Boiler ticket expires 2013
6619 - In service, currently receiving minor repairs. Boiler ticket expires 2013, though my get 1yr extension
14 Charwelton - In service. Commonly used on the K&ESR Railway experience days. Boiler ticket expires 2019
65 Maunsell - operational but currently on loan to the Embasy & Bolton Abbey Railway. Boiler ticket expires 2018
Welcome to the Saturday Gang's February 2013 update.
With the K&ESR's main running season fast approaching and time ticking on our in service locos boiler certificates we've been keeping ourselves busy!
Our efforts have been focused on 25 Northiam's overhaul and some significant milestones have been passed. Previously we were preparing 25 for work on the cylinder block, we're pleased to report that during mid week in early February the specialist contractor arrived to carry out the works. The contractor re bored the port faces (the part of the cylinder block where the pistons rings slide backwards and forwards) to remove any ridges or wear patterns from 10 years service. As you can see this was no small job and produced plenty of swarf!
The large boring machine inside the cylinder block
The boring machine removing ridges, note the swarf
produced by removing the high spots
So with this important milestone passed we continued with renewed enthusiasm for the tasks in hand. We mentioned in January's blogpost that the insideof the frames has been completed in red top coat. Naturally our attention has now shifted to the outside of 25's frames. Having previously been painted much of the frames in red oxide paint we have applied two layers of grey primer to the frames. Hopefully during March we will complete the process by applying a suitable black top coat!
From red to grey, after a few coats of grey the
frames will be ready for top coat
The Saturday Gang have also been preparing and readying the frames for reassembly. To facilitate repair works on the running plate and slot for the reverser we erected some lobo access staging inside the frames. Although it seems simple, it is logistically difficult and takes some time. Much of the actual "work" we do requires far more time spent in preparation so we can ensure quality and most importantly safety.
The access staging erected inside the frames
to allow safe access to 25's frames
Once the staging was erected we started our works on the right hand side of the frame. Interestingly a section of the running plate had not been riveted before and was loose on one side. With our access we were able to rivet the section back onto the frames. We were also carrying out minor works on the frames, more of that to come!
Grinding out the slot in 25's frames for the reverser
All in all we continue to make steady progress on 25 Northiam's overhaul. It is getting to the stage of the overhaul where we are repairing the various components and thinking about reassembly (as opposed to dismantling!). I will caution readers though that 25 is still someway from completion.
The Saturday Gang has also been assisting is ensuring that locomotives are ready for spring events and the summer season. We were pleased to observe our work on 23 Holman F Stephens and 1638 on the Thomas weekends. Our work varies from routine inspections, minor repairs to fault finding.
Without the K&ESR loco dept (of which the Saturday
Gang plays a big part) there wouldn't be any trains
As always the Saturday Gang has been busy with various training exercises and learning how to do various tasks. One of these was a short exercise which demonstrated how to repair lead lamps, which often in the course of duty become damaged and stop working. Instead of throwing away valuable equipment we learnt how to repair these, usually the fault lies inside the lamp's wiring.
We have also run another session on using the oxy accetalene cutter or "gas axe". We had a ladder in stores which was identified as being life expired and dangerous. So we used it as an opportunity to practice gas cutting. Its an excellent way to do it because making mistakes on an old ladder that's scrap anyway don't matter, its a different story on a loco component or item that has to be refitted or reused!
Gas axe practice with the pressure off
So its been another busy and productive month. The work never ends but it wouldn't be fun otherwise! The Saturday Gang is playing its part in keep the K&ESR's locomotives moving and ensuring that we have locomotives ready to replace those in service when their respective boiler tickets expire. This important, behind the scenes work is only possible because of the dedication of the K&ESR's staff (paid and volunteer).
So if you have a spare Saturday every once in a while why not volunteer with us? No previous experience required and you will have fun (along with several cups of tea!). If you're interested or want to find out more please email saturdaygang@gmail.com.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
12/31/2012
Saturday
Gang 2012 Review
So another year passes us by and it
gives us a moment to reflect on what has happened over the last year.
Work progressing on 25 Northiam
We have continued to push on with 25 Northiam's overhaul and are making
good progress. Having completed the boiler late in 2011 we have switched our
attention to the frames and motion (no small job). Throughout 2012 we have
progressively dismantled the motion and stripped the frames down to the bare
essentials. The long derusting and cleaning process is almost complete and
hopefully the frames will be top coated and ready for reassembly in early 2013.
Currently work is being undertaken on the various motion components, still
plenty to do but to quote British Rail "we're getting there".
376 Norwegian's overhaul progressing
We have also continued to support the
other overhauls currently underway. We completed the tender's repairs and
overhaul in 2011 but have also carried out various tasks on the loco itself.
These tasks range from painting, to de-rusting and preparing components for
fitting. We're please to say that 376
Norwegian should (all being well) be in service in 2013. When she does
return to service we can look with satisfaction at the part we played in
returning her to service.
DS238's painted boiler in silver aluminium paint
We have also been involved, from the
beginning, in the overhaul of DS238
Wainwright. This loco, having sat outside for around six years was rather
worse for wear. The Saturday Gang helped in the mammoth effort to de-rust the
boiler and to paint it in protective aluminium paint. The sheer physical effort
and amount of time this took cannot be understated!
The Saturday Gang has also carried out
running repairs and maintenance work on all of the K&ESR's operational loco
fleet. This has given a great variety of work, ranging from inspections, to
dismantling and repairs. So whilst we do focus on "our" project, 25 Northiam, whenever you see a loco
hauling a train on the K&ESR a little bit of the Saturday Gang is with it.
Many people get caught up with the importance of overhauls and forget just how
essential the running maintenance is.
Running repairs on 65 Maunsell
I have said this before but I will
repeat the point for effect! British Railways was struggling to attract people to
the railways during the 1950s / 60s because there were more pleasant, better
paid jobs to be found elsewhere. This was part of the reason why there was such
a hurry to get rid of steam (which worked out rather well for the fledgling
railway preservation movement).
It is therefore even more remarkable
that people freely give up their time to come and carry out that same work that
BR couldn't pay people to do!
Challenging but enjoyable and rewarding work
Working on steam locomotives is often very
dirty, cramped, awkward and often very frustrating. However that illustrates
the enthusiasm and passion of the Saturday Gang, that we overcome these
challenges and difficulties to play our part in ensuring future generations are
able to enjoy seeing working steam locomotives.
The Saturday Gang will continue to
develop and improve the way it showcases our work. This blog is, to sound
sinister, just the beginning! We are of course always looking for new
volunteers so if you see anything that interests you then please get in touch!
We welcome all ages, skills and experience (or none!).
This is a first post for the Saturday Gang so a few introductions / explanations are probably a good place to start.
As mentioned, we're the Saturday Gang - a group of volunteers working to overhaul & maintain the Kent and East Sussex Railway's locomotive fleet. Whilst carrying out this very important work we have a great deal of fun and really enjoy ourselves. We're a really friendly team of people with lots of enthusiasm.
We're always looking for new volunteers (as well as valuing our existing ones!) so if you're at all curious or interested in our work please get in touch! We would be delighted to hear from you. If you're interested in locomotives (both steam & diesel), engineering or getting work experience then this is definitely the place for you!
The plan (as it currently stands) is that we will produce a monthly report of the works we've carried out, along with some "waffle" (various member's opinions on a variety of issues). This information will be posted on here monthly. We will keep you updated with our work and the status of the K&ESR's locos.
We have a Youtube channel which shows us working away on various projects and items. We plan to produce comprehensive monthly reports in 2013.
Channel link (also found on homepage): Saturday Gang Youtube Channel
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