Project Report - 3 December 2016

Over the last few weeks, the team has been extremely busy manufacturing the new clothing panels for the firebox, some may refer the clothing as the boiler cladding. We are about a third of the way through this task but as you can see be the following photo's the workmanship is first class by the team.

Firebox crinoline bars and angles in situ - the before shot.

Alec and Kirk processing a component.

Alec and Kirk again cutting a component to shape. Note the personal protective equipment being worn by both.

John and Alec fitting one of the large side panels.

 

The after shot, panels fitted with minor fine tuning required.

The original panel (manufactured in the 50's or 60's) is fitted to the new crinoline bars and then measurements are taken of the differences to the alignment of the crinoline bars. The original panel is then fitted on top of a new sheet, the differences are then transferred to the new sheet and then the panel is cut out. The new sheet is then fitted to the boiler and the bolt, handrail, mounting holes are transferred to it for drilling. Each sheet is put onto and removed from the boiler around half a dozen times for fitting to ensure the accuracy of the new sheet is the best possible we can achieve. The sheeting is the clothing and I feel we are tailoring a new suit....

We have decided to outsource the rolling of the upper side sheets (for the exposed or grey area in the photo above) as the rollers in possession of RHWA are not wide enough, hopefully this wont take too long so we can finish the sides.

Check back to the Blog next weekend as there will be a interesting chapter on S549's history, all shall be revealed....