Engineering notes

By Tony Massau

Stays continue to be fitted to the firebox.

The right hand side water tank has been removed from the loco and is sitting on the floor behind the loco. This is a much safer way of attending to the relatively minor jobs that require attention such as for example a few attachments to weld on and the water level indicator mechanism to fit. The balance pipe between the two water tanks is partially constructed. This is a box section pipe in several sections with flanged joints. One of our team is busy machining the flanges.

The right hand front sand box is also temporarily removed from the loco. Some of the axlebox lubrication pipes come up the inside of the main frame close to the sand box and the front of the water tank on the right hand side of the loco and it was felt appropriate to add some additional connectors in the area with future ease of maintenance in mind.

Some slow progress is being made with the front sand pipes.

Machining is in progress with the carriage warming reducing valve.