October progress
7th November 2013
As it has been a month since our last News update, and Andrew has been champing at the bit, a brief resume on progress over the last month....
14 901 – has been in traffic as forecast on Peak Rail without incident. Stopping the annoying rattle is proving a little harder than we had hoped though! A fuel leak which we have thought we have “fixed” twice before continues, and we have come to the conclusion that it is actually one of the welds on the header tank that is weeping. This tank is scheduled for replacement over the winter period. There is some evidence too that the fuel pump, which is engine oil lubricated, may be passing some fuel into the sump, and we may have the pump off again during the winter for investigation. Otherwise the locomotive remains available for traffic (should it be required).
Cheedale – the ex Poole Harbour loco compressor has been fitted, after stripping and concluding that a new valve block should be provided. A new delivery hose is to hand as are the drive belts, although as this means dismantling the existing fan drive it is not a “five minute” job. We will not initially re-commission the exhauster when the belts are fitted (those for the exhauster will be clipped out the way until we are ready).
Ashdown. We have still not had time to fit the second cab window, or finish the corners off for the first, but a suitable opportunity will probably present itself. However, after much thought, the exhauster was removed, together with the awful belt-drive and “modern art” tower on which it stood. This enabled us to dispense with the “box” on the side and restore the casing doors to their original position. In due course the batteries will be relocated to a new box in the back of the cab, and their present location and mounting brackets utilised for an exhauster and hydraulic motor to drive it. It is unlikely that any start on this will be made until 2014.
Libby Some work has been carried on, with the tappets re-set and the first part of the exhaust system reassembled. A new aerofoil-section fan has been received, and will be fitted in place of the pressed metal Cummins one.
Drewry WD72229. Andrew has commenced work to install a vac/air distributor to the loco. This ensures that brakes are applied in the event of a vac or air pipe separation, in line with normal safety requirements. The means by which the exhauster is primed with lube oil (essential with the older Westinghouse exhausters if left idle for prolonged periods) is being modified to make it easier.
Pluto Pluto's windows, being steel framed, are nearing the end of their useful life and new aluminium framed ones have been ordered and received. It is hoped to fit these before Christmas.
The Geoffrey Briddon Building. Clearance work on the site resumed in October – the concrete of the former Peak Rail machine shop was broken up and removed, and track lifting on the two sidings foul of the building has been taking place. Building Inspectors have been appointed.
