Saturday 21 June 2014

The 549 work team arrived at the museum just after 9.30 for what seemed to be a beautiful morning with blue skies and the temperature not being too cold or windy.

Today's goal was to remove as much as possible of the boiler barrel cladding and maybe some of the fibreglass insulation that lies beneath it.

The Before Shot, Note: Sunlight on the Pavement.

To remove the cladding the following tasks were identified as needed to be done prior to removal, they were then allocated to a team member or members;

1. Remove the cylinder lubrication lines.
2. Remove the pipework to the clack valves. 
3. Remove the handrails and brake exhaust pipes on the drivers side. 
4. Remove the regulator connection rodding/brackets. 
5. Remove the screws that hold each half of the cladding together located under the barrel. Once these are undone the same can be removed from the top seam.

Although the team participated in all the tasks, Greg and Kirk took control on items 1-4, whilst Jaydan and Andrew were given task 5.

Jaydan and Andrew couldn't believe they would have to once again be in the bowels of the S class (yes, its a sh:t of job being in there), I bet they dream of having a pit one day.

Andrew - We all know its a forced smile..!!!

Andrew was first under there removing the screws manually but several just wouldn't budge, if only the original restorers had thought of a better way of securing the sheets together..!!!! I wonder where they are now..?

The guys then decided to use a bit of force and remove the remaining heads of the screws with a grinder, thus releasing the sheets. This time it was Jaydans turn to get in there.

Jaydan laying down on the job again.....

During the period in which Jaydan (was happily.?) grinding the heads off the screws, the sky went black and the heaven's opened up on Bassendean; although the S is under cover, the downpipes around the work area progressed on transferring the water from the roof to the ground around the S. By the time Jaydan had completed his tasks, the track bed resembled a lake, so how to get out..? Lets just say Jaydan is no Kieran Perkins...

Whilst all this was going on Kirk and Greg completed their tasks in methodical style and the removal of the cladding commenced.

With all hands on deck including a welcome visitor Paul Collins, the barrel sheets were removed, revealing the insulation that will have to wait for another week to be put into black garbage bags. We're getting there slowly...



 

The after shots - Note how dark it is at 3.30 in the afternoon
 and the remnants of Lake Greenmount.

Whilst we were packing up for the day, afternoon shift commenced (Dom) and he proceeded with the removal of the fittings on the back head of the boiler (basically all the equipment fitted to the boiler that is seen in the cab, gauge glasses etc.).

Next week; The plan is to lift the sand box to enable the remaining barrel sheets to be removed and remove the insulation. Any help welcomed..?