April 2026
Since the last report, the adjustments to the tender front brake shaft alignment have been made and the large brake cylinder brackets that support it, final fitted. The brake shaft bearing bracket castings have had the bolt fastening faces machined and oil ways drilled. The bronze bearings have been skimmed, pressed into the bearing brackets and oil holes drilled. This completes these items, apart from final attention by our volunteer painter Keith!
The overhaul of the Drain Cock Actuating valve has been completed, with valve faces lapped in, a new end tip made for the valve and new retaining nut and washer made for the valve spindle.
The arduous task of cleaning stubborn paint and rust deposits from cladding sheets continues, with the original throatplate corners receiving careful attention from Malcolm and Keith.
Discussions continue with potential contractors for the completion of platework repairs on the firebox.
Considerable time and effort is being spent on finalising the insurance claim for the stolen components. To this end, quotes are being sourced for the machining or fabrication of parts, patterns are being sourced from other groups or quotes for new ones obtained where patterns don’t exist and estimates for the in house manufacture of the thirty seven stolen pipe runs are being finalised. Many thanks must go to our engineering director Mike, for pushing this thankless task forward.
Forgings for the manufacture of new inside valve gear (to replace those that were stolen) are now complete. They have been produced by ZDAS, a Czech firm, for our supplier Daniela Works who are based in Shildon. The next step is to heat treat them.
Images on this page are copyright A.J.Morgan, J. Morgan and ZDAS