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.