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23rd February 2010
Since the last news report Andrew has been at work on several of the locomotives in the collection.
James
Up at the DVLR at York, a start has been made on the installation of pipework that will eventually see the vacuum brake fitting. The first complicated parts are the sections across the buffer beams, for which the pipes had been previously cut and threaded. These were assembled and after sorting out suitable packing pieces, were trial fitted and the supports welded to the buffer beams. Picture here.
Pluto
Pluto was given a much overdue service at Castle Hedingham. There is a report in Railways Illustrated that it will be in operation at a CVR event in March, but Andrew has not had this confirmed.
14 901 (D9524)
Work on the Class 14 has included trial fit of the first of the BMAC lamps. The remaining code lights will be assembled and fitted in due course. The fuel pump has been removed and sent away for thorough overhaul - the hydraulic governor fitted to pumps of this type being old and obsolete! The opportunity has been taken to relocate the stop solenoid, whose previous position on top of the engine had been found to cause it to stick when the engine became really hot - a "genuine" Rolls-Royce bracket recovered from the ex-Port Talbot engine has been fitted and will be utilised when the pump returns. This bracket however requires relocation of the fuel filters and their original bracketry - this is in hand. Preliminary design work on the front engine mounts is being proceeded with.
Drewry 72229
Although the vacuum brake installation has enabled 72229 to control the carriage braking, plans to get an exhauster fitted before the Elsecar diesel event last year fell short for lack of time. Consequently 72229 has been of limited use at Elsecar as it required another loco to provide the "suck". Work has now resumed on the exhauster installation, which it is hoped will be finished by mid March.
Rolling stock
A deal has been struck for purchase of a long wheel base van for further stores/workshop accommodation. Details will be released shortly.
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