16-17 January 2010, The hard slog!

16-17 January 2010, The hard slog!

The success of our first super weekend for 2010 cannot be understated. However having said that, the work on the four bogies is not glamorous or exciting, rather its dirty and very exhausting work. The many years of outdoor storage coupled with the loads of grime is gradually being overcome. To this end our dedicated team completed the strip down of the second bogie. The usual crack testing and extensive use of the electric wire brushes facilitated the application of grey primer paint. The assessment of the stripped down bogie is as follows.

1. Bogie frame casting cleaned, crack tested and prime coated. All mounting studs to be replaced with new.

2. 8 off manganese horn liners, replace 2 and repair 4.

3. Replace all bushes and some suspension pins.

4. Replace 2 off bogie bearing springs, very expensive fortunately we have several spares in stock.

The main roller bearings will require assessment, however 30 years of grime will have to be removed first.

The third bogie strip down commenced but the ability to access the bolts was hampered by inches of baked on grime and cylinder oil. This bogie supports the leading unit cylinders and it seems that the NSWGR railway maintenance crews didn’t have pay for the bill for cylinder oil. Further visual investigation around the leading cylinders confirmed that all the oil lube lines are either loose or in very poor condition. These lube lines are high pressure hydraulic type and they are not cheap to replace.

Work continued on the boiler cladding around the fire box area. The re-use of the sheet meal that came off the old boiler is causing Ian a few headaches. However the end result is a site to behold.

The MHG service van now has 415v and 240V power and lights. We are now on the lookout for a fridge and hot water unit or at very least a kettle. A big thankyou to Pat the electrician for his work on this van.

By the end of the two days all of the team were happy to go home and like me probably spent a significant amount of time in the shower scrubbing off dirt and grease.

APPEAL FOR HELP TO FINISH THE BOGIES x4

As the bogies are going together we are putting together an accurate cost against this critical work. When we finish the bogies the locomotive will start to go back together. However without the funds we will have to defer the reassembly until we have the finance.

We need $ 10,100

• $3,200 : Hydraulic pressure hoses. Theses hoses deliver the oil to the horn guides from the Nathan mechanical lubricators.
• $2,000: To replace broken manganese horn liners.
• $2,500: To replaced the bogie pivot bowl liners.
• $1,000: For replacement of studs, bolts washers.
• $1,400: For the replacement of worn bushes and pins.


Sponsor a specific item.

Naturally any donation helps, however we are also asking to donate against a specific item. For example if a donation is offered against an item from the above list, a certificate will be issued. This certificate will be an official 6029 donation certificate listing the item and the downers name. Because all of the items listed are over $1,000, two free tickets will be allocated for the first official run of 6029.

Remember we are at the turn around point, when the bogies are finished we start on the home straight!


Alan Gardner

Saturday, 2nd of January 2010

As previously reported the four bogies are the main focus of work until they are completed.

•Bogie number one was moved in preparation of its lift back onto its wheels. The wheels are now in place on the track adjacent to the bogie frame. The centre pivot casting was fitted onto the bogie frame to facilitate the fitting of the lateral control springs. Once the lateral control springs are fitted the bogie frame will be lifted onto the wheels, equalising beams and main springs.

•Bogie number two was stripped down to almost the last nut and bolt. However one wheel set was seized solid in the horn guides.The use of crow bars and our hydraulic porta-power facilitated its removal. This bogie was situated directly below the cab and a consequence of this every passage and hole was literally filled with coal dust and cylinder oil. The crew anticipates many enjoyable hours removing all the gunk and grime....NOT!

•Bogie number three was rolled out clear of the leading engine unit. As anticipated, it's condition is better than the first two, as it is further away from coal dust, heat and cylinder oil. No work will take place on the bogie until the first two are completed. Its overhaul will be faster as there is no brake gear on the outer bogies.

•Bogie number four, being the last, is still in place at the outer end of the hind unit. The King pin and guard iron’s will have to be removed before it can be rolled clear of the engine units. A line up of all staff will take place at the next work day to determine who is the smallest and skinniest member of our team. This lucky person will have the privilege of removing the last of the four king pins. Did we mention that this is the dirtiest part of the loco!

Thanks to Kyle, Stuart, Barry, Paul, Mike and Peter. These guys, and John (wasn’t in today), are fast becoming 60 class bogie experts.

Back over at the boiler, Ian continues to beaver away with the fire box crinoline support bands. He's also prepping the sheet metal for its final fit once the crinoline bands are completed. Mike has delivered the safety valves x 3. He has also finishing the rework of the front end regulator cams and valves at his Sydney workshop.

The next workday is Sunday the 17th of January, all welcome.

Alan Gardner.