Saturday 3 July 2010
8:00 am Saturday morning, temperature -3 deg C. Yes its winter in the nation’s capital, ice is on the ground, the fog is thick and not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. First job, boil jug, second job turn on heater and third job look for that mouse.
For anyone who has worked in a railway yard, the only thing to do in cold weather is to get stuck into work, as this is the best way to get warm. Another trick is do any job that involves the use of the oxy torch. Hence why boiler makers are everyone’s friend in winter. So Shaun Barker and the project manger stripped down the suspect bogie bearing axle box. The first job was to cut off the counter sunk bolts that hold the manganese liners in place. They could not be removed with a spanner as the flats on the nuts had long disappeared and the only way to remove them was to cut them off. The next job was to undo the four long keep bolts that hold the two halves of the axle box together. As usual the last of the four bolts would not budge. So again bring in the oxy torch. The nut was sacrificed but the 18 inch long bolt was saved for re use.
As the sun started to break through the fog the team gradually got going on those bogies. Kyle, Mike and Howard stated with the strip down with the last of the four bogies. As we are now tooled up it only took three hours to complete. No surprises here just more of that crud. As previously reported one of the main driving springs has two broken top leafs and further to this the top retaining plate is missing. Fortunately the retaining key was still in place. Mike Reynell will put his skills to use and make up a replacement one and has also offered to make a few spares.
Mike Ridley continued working through the brake system piping. This also involves the servicing and greasing of the many isolating cocks. The end result being cocks that are easy to operate. Mike anticipates that the distributing valve will be going back in place in the near future.
Andy Heys, Roger Maynard and Howard Moffat continued on with the myriad of tasks around the leading engine unit. Andy is also coming in between workdays to help kick things along. Thanks Andy.
Lunch was again very busy as the 4468 crew come over to enjoy the culinary delights of Peter Reynell. Oscar the dog was also enjoying the left over sausages. It’s very pleasing to see 20+ old mates on site swapping stories and generally enjoying themselves.
The front tank now sports a new coat of grey primmer thanks to the team at mobile fabrications. They have now completed all of the hot work with only the sand blasting and undercoating stage to be completed.
Our next workday is Sunday the 18th of July. Dress is informal but warm cloths are recommended . Brrrrrr!
Alan Gardner
