Clive Emsley's photo on the right, taken on 17 March 2012, shows the rear stretcher that has been built up with weld to its original cross section. This is positioned just in front of the rear axle and behind the firebox.
The last of the motion has now been removed from the locomotive and is in the process of being cleaned up and readied for protective paint and other processes prior to medium term storage.
The front sandboxes are in the process of being removed prior to cleaning up and storage away from the weather. Currently these are held in place with temporary fixtures, the rivets having been cut out. The removal of these items will allow the front of the frames to be thoroughly inspected, cleaned and given a protective coat of paint.
It has been found that the rear stretcher, below the footplate, was not as bad as originally thought and it has been built up with weld to close to the original section. There is some corrosion on the main frames in a similar area that it is hoped can be treated in a similar way. The stretcher has been given a coat of protective paint and looks good.
The front buffer beam, which was cracked and bent in a shunting incident a number of years ago, will need replacement, although it is thought that the drag box behind it will only need minor repair, obviously when dismantling of this part of the loco takes place more definite information will become available
More of Clive's photos show:
- Above left: the front left hand sandbox, currently being removed from the frames. The box is temporarily held in place with bolts as rivets are removed using gas cutting equipment. They will be removed using a fork lift to support them whilst the bolts are released.
- Above right: illustrates the damage to the front buffer beam and angle. This will need to be removed and replaced with new material constructed to the original specification.
- Left: the extent of the frames requiring removal. The frames and drag box will be removed from roughly where the rear line of the paint meets the corroded surface. New frames will be cut and welded in place before the new drag box is riveted between the frames.
The rear of the frames will need to be removed from just behind the rear foot steps and replaced with new sections. This will pose no great problems as this technique has been used in the past with 263 and more recently with the BR Class 2 tank. This will be done once funds are available.
As was stated in the last report, the locomotive has been prepared for lifting from the wheels. Unfortunately the preparation work for the new staff accommodation above the workshop has prevented any crane movements in the works yard, so this is currently on hold. Once the wheels have been removed from the frames, plans can be made to have the wheels sent away to have the tyres and journals turned, ready for the loco frames to be put back onto the wheels and become a rolling chassis.
Fund raising, via the Fenchurch Fund which is supporting the restoration of No.27, is coordinated by Clive Emsley, Millfield, Manor Road, Upper Beeding, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3TJ.New fund raising forms are now available. They include sections for one off donations, with or without Gift Aid and for setting up Standing orders, again with or without Gift Aid. These can be supplied from any of our stands at various Bluebell Functions or by post or Email. Thank you for your support.
The restoration began when the loco was dismantled in 1978 for a "quick" overhaul, but, as was so often the case at the time, this was found to be beyond the skills of the basic workshop capability we had back then, so the restoration stalled.
The restoration of No.27 to working condition has recently restarted following a delay of nearly 30 years. The work on the locomotive is being undertaken by the Villas Gang and other volunteers, supported by the fund raising efforts of the 'Fenchurch Fund'. Major work is required on the boiler and frames of the locomotive, as well as some significant mechanical renewal and replacement of plate work, including the tanks.
The work that have been carried out recently includes the removal of all of the motion and valve gear from between the frames. These parts have been cleaned up, ready for repair and renovation of the bearings, before being stored. The bunker has been removed from the frames of the loco and set aside to allow a new bunker to be constructed using the original as a pattern. During the removal of the sandboxes it has been found that there is some significant corrosion to the front part, as well as the rear, of the frames which will need to be replaced. Temporary frame stretchers have been manufactured and fitted in readiness for the cutting out of the rust from the frames, and replacement with new material. The existing tanks are also set aside either to be repaired or to be used as patterns for the fabrication of new ones.
The locomotive has been prepared for lifting which will be done as part of the next visit of a crane, potentially some time in February. This will allow work to be carried out on the frames, the axle boxes and the wheel sets.
Clive Emsley's photos, taken on 28 January 2012, show:
- Above: the temporary stretcher that has been attached to the frame to maintain the correct spacing between the frames in preparation for heavy remedial work to the frames. It also shows the extent of corrosion of the bunker floor!
- Below left: the motion awaiting attention, and the steam reverser stripped for inspection and repair. The covers of the reverser were found to have been repaired on many occasions.
- Below right: the rear sand boxes (sitting on top of the tanks) awaiting cleaning and remedial attention prior to storage.
Fund raising is coordinated by Clive Emsley, Millfield, Manor Road, Upper Beeding, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3TJ.
New fund raising forms are now available. They include sections for one off donations, with or without Gift Aid and for setting up Standing orders, again with or without Gift Aid. These can be supplied from any of our stands at various Bluebell Functions or by post or Email. Thank you for your support.
The late Gerry Butler's photo (right) shows the loco outside the Bluebell's original, small, loco shed at Sheffield Park on 27 March 1971.
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Photos © copyright of, and with thanks to, Clive Emsley.
