Canberra is presently experiencing significant rain fall and it goes without saying that it's most welcome. However as we have no shed for 6029 the weather can influence our workdays. As a result of the poor wether the fit out of our new workshop (the MHG guards van) progressed significantly. Stuart fitted a new bench in the perishable goods end and he has plans to fit a vice and bench grinder in this area. When completed we will at last have an indoors work area that will be a welcome change to all. Pat, our resident electrician has promised to fit some power points and lights and we may even be able to boil the kettle in the near future. If any one wants to help out with the painting and fit out please come along as this work can happen any time mid week or even weekends.
Between showers, John continued with the stripping down of the second bogie, he also had time in the past week for some work at home by cleaning up some small components for the bogies. We joke that after four bogies, John will be the resident bogie specialist. If the weather holds off on the next workday it is anticipated that the second bogie will be completely stripped down for assessment.
The project manager and our friend from the USA, Jack Corrick spent most of the day studying SKF drawings for the big end bearings. The end result being the partial disassembly of one big end. We now need a special pulling tool to facilitate the removal of the inner bearing assembly. Mike Reynell has offered to make this vital equipment up. Thanks also to Craig Mackey for suppling the NSWGR drawings and bearing manual.
Roger Maynard started cleaning down the four Nathan DV mechanical lubricators however no undercoat could be applied due to the wet weather. The preliminary assessment has shown that they are in good condition.
The last jobs on the boiler cradle are being completed by Howard and he had the unenviable task of removing the last of the sound deadening boards from underneath the cab floor. The attempt by the manufacture with sound deadening was poorly applied, with the use of timber and alternative modern martials will be sourced for this area.
By the days, end we were all wet and tired, however the day’s efforts had at least allowed us to be one step closer to steaming 6029. We now have an indoors workshop and the previosly unknown, black art of the SKF roller big end bearing has revealed it self to the next generation of steam fitters.
Please make the effort to come along to the next workday (Sunday the 18th of October) as we need lots of mussel power and willing hands.
Alan Gardner
