Saturday 28 June 2014

What makes a project successful comes down to the team and the way they interact to reach a common gaol, a good team can move mountains. The team on the S549 project is a very good one and it is currently moving a "mountain" class locomotive with some momentum.

The target for the days activities was to lift the sand box to allow for the last of the cladding sheets to be removed followed by the removal of the insulation.

To do this the ladder had to be removed, then the sandbox lifted by packing it up with timber blocks (Remember a crane is not available or accessible to do any heavy lifting where the S class is currently located) so the sheets could be slipped over the fastening studs.

The insulation could then be removed, a chicken wire cage held this against the boiler barrel so this had to be removed first, hopefully the insulation would come away with it, Wrong..!! It had to be plucked off the boiler in clumps.

The team grew again this week with welcomed guests Ned and Josh lending a hand.

Whilst this was going on, Dominic continued to remove the majority of valves and fittings from the backhead of the boiler. The amount of progress made in this area was not originally planned for at the start of the day so it was an extra bonus.

We're getting closer, Saturday by Saturday.

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..?

Saturday 14 June 2014

Another early start was made of which was the coldest morning so far for 2014. The main priorities of the day were to remove the remaining five tubes, remove a sample of the axle box lubrication pads and to continue removing the cladding/insulation.

Whilst all the equipment was being gathered for the days proceedings, the remainder of the team arrived and tasks were allocated.

There were five tubes remaining, two in the bottom row, two in the next row up and one in the top left hand corner that had been previously plugged due to leaking. The plugs and securing rod were removed from the upper tube and the beading at the firebox end removed, the beading on the other four had previously been removed or most of it at least so a light dressing was carried out to remove any remaining dags and burrs. They were then warmed internally at both ends with the oxy to enable them to shrink and then punched out. The hardest part was to remove the lower four past the blast pipe, one was stubborn and had to be cut in segments to get it out. What didn't make it any easier was the scale from the removed tubes sitting at the bottom limiting movement, this won't be a problem putting the new ones in as all this will be cleaned out prior.

So all the fire tubes have now been removed, the flues are still in situ and will be evaluated in the next couple of weeks. They actually look in good condition.

The Smoke Box Showing The Small Tubes Removed

Inside of the Boiler
The Scale Fell From The Small Tubes During Removal
It is Mainly Tannin Which is Used as a Corrosion Preventative.
 

One of the tasks set for the day was to remove a sample of the axle box lubrication pads to enable them to be used as templates for the manufacture of replacements. This task was given to the two youngest of the team, Jaydan and Andrew due to them being a lot more agile than the oldies. It required crawling under the loco and getting in positions that are awkward to say the least and getting covered in the smelliest blackest oil one can imagine. They both did a Stirling job and carried out the task with minimal fuss. These will now be cleaned up and to record the measurements etc. on a drawing to enable sub-contracting out.

Driving Wheel (Left) and Pony Truck Axle Box Lubricating Pads

The other task was to continue in the removal of the cladding and the insulation that lies below it. The sheeting on the firebox was removed and the sticky fibreglass plucked and stored in garbage bags for later disposal. Of the areas that were removed revealed a boiler in very good condition, the rust preventative paint had done its job well over the past 20 years. The remainder will be removed over the next coming weeks to enable a full boiler examination.

The Cladding & Insulation Removed on The Firebox.

Saturday 7 June 2014

The main objective today was to remove the remainder of the fire tubes. The removal of fittings was also to continue to allow the cladding and insulation to be removed.

Whilst all the tools and equipment were being assembled for the days work ahead, the newest member of the team arrived to give a helping hand. With the aid of Andrew and Jaydan, Greg went straight onto the task of removing the boiler bands and miscellaneous parts so the cladding could be removed.

The remaining fire tubes required the beading to be removed of which was undertaken with the grinder and a very careful hand to ensure the tube plate was not touched in any way. It was a dusty dirty job with every piece of PPE worn to limit the risk of being hit with grinding sparks. They were then warmed internally at both ends with the oxy to enable them to shrink and then punched out. By the end of the day only five remained, one that had been previously plugged and four stubborn others. One vast improvement was the use of recently purchased LED flood lights, it was a vast improvement within the firebox.