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Power unit finally installed in "03" D2128
5th September 2011
Although Pete was unable to be present (owing to family circumstances - see the "Weekend Rails" blog) Andrew decided to proceed alone with the planned installation of the Cummins 855 and Twin Disc 2-speed hydraulic transmission in his "03" class 0-6-0D-something(!) D2128 at the AFRPS' depot on the Scunthorpe steelworks on the 3rd September.
The operation began on Thursday evening, when in collaboration with TaTa staff, the locomotive was positioned at a convenient place at the end of the siding by the loco shed, and the engine and transmission were lifted out of the Palvan and placed alongside. Andrew's "big" 3-phase welder and accroutrements were collected from Rowsley on Friday and 7 am alarm calls booked for Saturday morning.
Andrew was on site by 10am and set up in time for Oliver's HIAB-fitted tractor unit to arrive before 11, booked to lift the units in to place. The plan was to trial-fit the engine into position, check that everything lined up, then lift it clear while the mounts, and the additional side stiffening gussets were welded in place and cooled. The a/v mounts were then fully bolted in and the engine placed back in the frames, after which the Twin Disc unit would be presented to the flywheel housing and bolted up.
Of course, nothing quite goes to plan and the job took longer than anticipated but by late in the day the locomotive had its new power unit and transmission fitted and sheeted down. There remains a vast amount of work - from wiring, plumbing, coolers, inlet and exhaust systems through to charge pump drives, exhauster and compressors - before the locomotive will be operational but with hints of an AFRPS gala in 2012, a determined effort should be made to meet that deadline.
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