Engineering notes

By Tony Massau

A visit from the boiler inspector is awaited to inspect the progress so far before work proceeds towards fitting the front tubeplate. The spacing ring between the front end of the boiler barrel and the inside edge of the smokebox has been machined.

The water tanks have been re-fitted on to the loco. This will enable various pipe support brackets to be attached to the tanks, some on top and some underneath. Various pipe runs can then be continued. Taking the tanks on and off also involves removing the mechanical lubricators and footplating alongside.

Machining of the body of the carriage warming reducing valve has been completed and machining of the internal pistons is in progress. Machining of the cast splitter where one steam supply pipe to the cylinder drain cocks becomes two pipes has been undertaken.