2nd December 2021

Tender

At long last, the tender frames are back on their wheels and the new tank is back on the frames.

A big job to get done on a short, December day!

Andy Morgan had prepared for the event by placing the axle boxes on their respective axles with weights roped on beneath to prevent capsize. Also - he oiled around the loco chassis. 

The first act of the day, featuring Boscastle volunteers and GCR staff, was to clear items from the West road of the shed to allow

1. the several locos on it (including Boscastle on the end of the string) to be drawn out
2. the road crane to approach through the shed to lift the tender frame. The lift was on the edge of the crane capacity and there was just sufficient space.

The three axles were then rolled into position under the frame and squared off to align the axle boxes with the guides. The frame was gently lowered and many willing hands prodded, pushed and levered the axle boxes into final position working from the leading to the trailing. 

The wheeled frame was then propelled by hand to the Empress Road bridge (South of the shed) where the crane lifted it to allow fitting of the springs. Lunch was then taken.

In the afternoon the crane was arranged to lift the tank (outside the North end of the shed), the wheeled frame was propelled slowly beneath and the tank lowered. 

The tender and locomotive are now back in the same relative positions - but the tender is 'tanked' and mobile.

Our thanks to the GCR staff, who were very supportive.