Weekday Progress

News just in.... The lubrication system on the leading engine unit has now been fully primed and tested.

Ian Senini has been working on the lubrication systems for some time, and did a wonderful job of restoring the mechanical lubricators for us. He has spent some time during the last weeks getting the lubrication lines connected and ready for test, and last week was able to prime all the lines and check for leaks. This achievement means that the front tank will soon be put back on permanently.... and then, given that there are two engine units, he will start on the hind unit.

From the collection of Howard Moffat, here is a picture he took in 1979 of a tour 6029 hauled on the Michalego line. Wont be long and it will be possible to take picture like it once again.

Sunday 15 January 2012

The install of the remaining super heater elements continued as the first job for the day. Fortunately we were able to source the six remaining tee bolts ew required courtesy of a ex NSWGR 36 class super heater header that has been stored on site for many years. With the bolts sorted the team moved quickly into the task at hand, and in no time the last bolt was tightened up home. With the elements out of the way the guys cleaned up all the tools and swept out the smoke box clean.



The steam pipes that run from the super heater header inside the smoke box were next in the critical path and as usual they had to be cleaned up for assessment. The flange spherical faces that make up the steam tight joint were wire brushed and the tedious job of lapping each face commenced. Many of the old bolts were seized in place and had to be heated to red hot before being driven out. All new bolts have been ordered well in advance ready for fitting of the pipes but we still are a few workdays away from this.

The sand box fit out continued with three of the four leading, sand traps, air connections and pipes fitted. Some of the pipes required re setting and welding for alignment, but this task is made easy with the oxy torch and sledge hammer. This work is being completed before the leading tank is fitted into place as it is easer to do this with un-restricted access.

Thanks to Ian, the testing of the leading lubrication system will now take place mid week between workdays. A test pressure gauge will be fitted to what is called the terminal check valves that is located in close proximity to each cylinder. Once pumped up to just below 225 psi all lube lines will be visually examined for leaks, and any pipes that need repair will be fixed as required. After the integrity of the pipes and lubricators is proven the system will be flushed through and primed. This will have to be done again before the steam tests commence but the hard to get at pipes will be good to go one the tank is in place.

Our next workday will be an interesting one as we will be prepping the leading tank for final fit and if all goes to plan, 6029 will be shunted out of the shed for the fitting of the tank.

Alan Gardner

The first workday for 2012 was well attended and as luck would have it many hands do make light work, particularly when you are installing super heater elements. With 20 of 50 still to go the team was divided up into three groups to facilitate delivery from storage, lifting from ground to footplate level and finally installation in the smoke box.

With everyone ready to go it was soon realized that the smoke box door would not open past 20 deg as it was fouling a very large nut that adjusts the boiler cradle pivots. After some minor adjustment the door was clear to open and the elements were soon being pushed into what is called the flue tubes. Once in position a very large tee clamp bolts is fitted and secured with a 1" BSW nut. The first element took about one hour to fit and by mid afternoon this was down to about ten minutes from start to finish. The down side being that it was getting very hot by mid afternoon so it was decided to stop with just 6 elements to go. This decision was also influenced by the fact that we are 4 tee bolts short. Needless to say that the sourcing of tee bolts is the highest priority on the shopping list.

The last of the rebuilt sand boxes was fitted into place and the sand delivery pipes have been dusted off from storage. They are bent in all directions to clear the wheels and brake gear  but once marred up to the adjacent box the fit is quite obvious. The sand traps x 8 are progressively being cleaned out and air tested before final fit and once fitted the crew looks forward to filling them with sand for the fist time in many years.

Our next workday is Sunday the 15th of January, all welcome.