The boiler cradle rebuild continued with the continued efforts of Howard and Stuart. Stuart has also been coming in on the weekdays and as a result we should see the cradle frame completed in the next couple of months. Marc put his nine inch angle grinder to good use to prep the final welds required on the smoke box floor. Andrew Duffy removed the four Nathan mechanical lubricators off the engine units and we can now assess and bench test this vita equipment. Rodger Maynard continued to steam clean the leading engine and thanks to his efforts we should be able to start the application of paint soon.
Many of the boiler cladding sheets for the back head are in poor condition and Gavin’s new plasma cutter was put to good use for the first time. Marc and Ted experienced the joys of sheet metal work and a result the back head sheets are now about 90% complete.
Back in Sydney Mike Reynell is organising the manufacture of 50+ element washers and when completed we can start installing the new elements. As usual Bruce s continuing with the machining of the many replacement components.
Our next workday is Sunday the 17th of May starting at about 9 am, all welcome!
Alan Gardner
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May 4, 2009
Apr 25, 2009
hi ho; hi ho..its off to work we go...
on Saturday 2 May [and happy birthday Mike R] and Sunday 17th ...location..the big engine@ Canberra Railway Museum.Lots to do, something for everyone.
Apr 24, 2009
Sunday 20 April 2009
It is pleasing to report that work day was well attended, resulting in some excellent progress.
Even before the weekend Bruce has been busy manufacturing many of the small components required to keep up with the re assembly work. Because of Bruce’s efforts the centrifugal steam separator in the dome was final fitted by Gavin, although it was a tight squeeze. With only some minor work required Gavin will re fit the steam dome and complete the final out of the boiler.
The boiler cradle clean up and assessment continued at a rapid rate. Marc continued with the steam cleaner and Howard was assisted by Stuart on the needle gun. Alan completed the work on the main steam lines under the cab. David and Stuart helped out with the cladding sheets for the back head as they will have to be fitted before the boiler is lowered into the cradle.
Two new volunteers Kyle Rowlingson and John Kempton started on the day and as a result the hind engine unit some sports some gloss black paint. During the afternoon the superheater header was trial fitted and all being well the next workday should see it fitted into place.
If we can keep up the good attendance we anticipate completing the boiler cradle work in the next couple of months. In parallel work is continuing on the change over boiler and this work should be completed about the same time line as the cradle.
Thanks to the efforts of Carl on the super heater header two weeks ago we will put off lowering the boiler on to the cradle and inturn the elements will be fitted while the boiler is on the ground. To this end we are proposing to hold a super week in July to facilitate the fitting of the elements and smoke box. So If you have some annual leave up your sleave and would like to enjoy a full week straight of steam fitting you are most welcome. Accommodation is available in our luxurious BAM sleeper carriages thanks to Matt and Trev.
As the preparation work on the boiler and cradle is coming to a end we will start to look at the removal of the four bogies from off the engine units. Preliminary inspection has revealed some very sick lateral control springs and some of the horn liners will need replacing also. As soon as we can get our crane driver Michael Potter away from his ever expanding family we will lift the engine units clear of the bogies. Our old mates from Eveleigh have offered to come down when the warmer weather returns in September and we are hope that they can help out with the bogie rebuilds.
Alan Gardner
As you can see, pictures this month show that the visible progress is now starting to accelerate, and you will see that the grey undercoat, that was becoming quite dominant in last months pictures, is now starting to disappear under top coats of black and red paint. Great stuff!
Even before the weekend Bruce has been busy manufacturing many of the small components required to keep up with the re assembly work. Because of Bruce’s efforts the centrifugal steam separator in the dome was final fitted by Gavin, although it was a tight squeeze. With only some minor work required Gavin will re fit the steam dome and complete the final out of the boiler.
The boiler cradle clean up and assessment continued at a rapid rate. Marc continued with the steam cleaner and Howard was assisted by Stuart on the needle gun. Alan completed the work on the main steam lines under the cab. David and Stuart helped out with the cladding sheets for the back head as they will have to be fitted before the boiler is lowered into the cradle.
Two new volunteers Kyle Rowlingson and John Kempton started on the day and as a result the hind engine unit some sports some gloss black paint. During the afternoon the superheater header was trial fitted and all being well the next workday should see it fitted into place.
If we can keep up the good attendance we anticipate completing the boiler cradle work in the next couple of months. In parallel work is continuing on the change over boiler and this work should be completed about the same time line as the cradle.
Thanks to the efforts of Carl on the super heater header two weeks ago we will put off lowering the boiler on to the cradle and inturn the elements will be fitted while the boiler is on the ground. To this end we are proposing to hold a super week in July to facilitate the fitting of the elements and smoke box. So If you have some annual leave up your sleave and would like to enjoy a full week straight of steam fitting you are most welcome. Accommodation is available in our luxurious BAM sleeper carriages thanks to Matt and Trev.
As the preparation work on the boiler and cradle is coming to a end we will start to look at the removal of the four bogies from off the engine units. Preliminary inspection has revealed some very sick lateral control springs and some of the horn liners will need replacing also. As soon as we can get our crane driver Michael Potter away from his ever expanding family we will lift the engine units clear of the bogies. Our old mates from Eveleigh have offered to come down when the warmer weather returns in September and we are hope that they can help out with the bogie rebuilds.
Alan Gardner
As you can see, pictures this month show that the visible progress is now starting to accelerate, and you will see that the grey undercoat, that was becoming quite dominant in last months pictures, is now starting to disappear under top coats of black and red paint. Great stuff!
Apr 20, 2009
What happened away from Steamfest 18/19 April
yes, the world continued on...Mike Ridley continued work on the cab at Eveleigh [though he was tempted to look at other activity centered around preparing a 38 class, the fiftyniner and the P [actually, two P class in the shed this day] . And a wonderful opportunity to chew the fat with like-minded people from all over over the best BBQ lunch in the rail restoration movement.
On the big day in Canberra ten or so turned up to work on the big engine which saw the superheater header offered back to the smokebox, the main steam pipe reinstalled [thanks, Bruce for making the special bolt, and Mike for finally remembering where he hid the strap and Gav for hiding in the boiler whilst doing the work!] and more painting, painting and painting. Three new faces too, and of course the second best BBQ!
All this with our little mate, 3016 steaming out to Bungendore, again..and having a bit of a slip on the way back..look at Andy's blog for info on that .
There is a feeling now of [mild] confidence as we are more putting it back together than pulling it apart. Help us by donating or coming along and doing a bit.
Work days in Canberra are FIRST SATURDAY and THIRD SUNDAY...but see Alans [forthcoming] comments about the JULY superweek.
On the big day in Canberra ten or so turned up to work on the big engine which saw the superheater header offered back to the smokebox, the main steam pipe reinstalled [thanks, Bruce for making the special bolt, and Mike for finally remembering where he hid the strap and Gav for hiding in the boiler whilst doing the work!] and more painting, painting and painting. Three new faces too, and of course the second best BBQ!
All this with our little mate, 3016 steaming out to Bungendore, again..and having a bit of a slip on the way back..look at Andy's blog for info on that .
There is a feeling now of [mild] confidence as we are more putting it back together than pulling it apart. Help us by donating or coming along and doing a bit.
Work days in Canberra are FIRST SATURDAY and THIRD SUNDAY...but see Alans [forthcoming] comments about the JULY superweek.
Apr 6, 2009
Saturday 4 April workday
Note..next workday is Sunday 19 April; 0900-1600 or thereabouts.
A great day...perfect weather yes, it does sometimes happen in Canberra! Come along on the 19th to experience it.
Al and Gav played tinplaters ..they made good progress in cutting, shaping and fitting cladding [for out - of staters "cleading"] around the "new" boiler firebox area, looks sooooo good without rust holes!
Peter R wondered aloud if he could still spray paint and found that the lessons learned first time around could still be remembered, Al's comment was "looks like you have a job, again!
Howard M, Mike Ridley Roger and Stewart [sorry, do not know if I got this right] worked away at the boiler frame..rust removal...undercoat and even some black enamel. It looks great chaps!
On a broader aspect other things were happening too on Saturday:
the 1 2 1 0 was being steamed and beautifully polished by Brigadeer Brasso amd David Carroll along with a new recruit; the purpose being to provide a backdrop for some wedding fotos.
[ a picta, please, Mr VP MacAndo?]
the 3016 was having a paint tone-up by Dave Malcolm and Andy, looks good, guys!
Our Heritage diesel 4807 was off at the Highland Games with a full load of happy customers, Brigadoon looked to being well celebrated when Mike Ridley and I took a happy snap on the way home.
A great day...perfect weather yes, it does sometimes happen in Canberra! Come along on the 19th to experience it.
Al and Gav played tinplaters ..they made good progress in cutting, shaping and fitting cladding [for out - of staters "cleading"] around the "new" boiler firebox area, looks sooooo good without rust holes!
Peter R wondered aloud if he could still spray paint and found that the lessons learned first time around could still be remembered, Al's comment was "looks like you have a job, again!
Howard M, Mike Ridley Roger and Stewart [sorry, do not know if I got this right] worked away at the boiler frame..rust removal...undercoat and even some black enamel. It looks great chaps!
On a broader aspect other things were happening too on Saturday:
the 1 2 1 0 was being steamed and beautifully polished by Brigadeer Brasso amd David Carroll along with a new recruit; the purpose being to provide a backdrop for some wedding fotos.
[ a picta, please, Mr VP MacAndo?]
the 3016 was having a paint tone-up by Dave Malcolm and Andy, looks good, guys!
Our Heritage diesel 4807 was off at the Highland Games with a full load of happy customers, Brigadoon looked to being well celebrated when Mike Ridley and I took a happy snap on the way home.
Mar 29, 2009
Worth a read...The Down Home with Andy!
One of our guys has recently started a blog that will talk in general terms of his railway experiences, and some about the daily operations of the Canberra Railway Museum. Click here to have a look. I am sure it will develop into an interesting read!
Mar 26, 2009
eating humble pie...
A sincere apology to Dennis Rittson... we mistakenly attributed four of his photos to the wrong photographer.
The pix are 6029 and K153 running side by side on the way to Wangaratta in June 1980.
two uncaptioned shots during the Great Circle tour in June 1981.
As soon a webmasterMike can, he will make the corrections.
Meantime, sorry Dennis
The pix are 6029 and K153 running side by side on the way to Wangaratta in June 1980.
two uncaptioned shots during the Great Circle tour in June 1981.
As soon a webmasterMike can, he will make the corrections.
Meantime, sorry Dennis
Mar 18, 2009
Sunday 15 March
The super heater header was examined for any flaws and found to be in good condition. The last of the fitted bolts were extracted and all of the mounting flanges were cleaned out and assessed. The lapping in of the pilot, drifting and main valves x 4 was completed. All studs where extracted and the holes were tapped out clean to ¾ BSW. The header was turned on its side and the re-machining of the 100 element seats started with the aid of Gavin’s magnetic base drill. The two main reservoirs for the brake system were removed in preparation for and internal examination by our boiler inspector. Some of the support brackets for the steam exhaust lines were also removed for replacement.
Our next workday will be held on the Saturday the 4th of April 2009. The main focus of work will be the boiler cradle.
Alan Gardner
Our next workday will be held on the Saturday the 4th of April 2009. The main focus of work will be the boiler cradle.
Alan Gardner
Mar 10, 2009
where are you Ron?
Cabin Boy, we are missing you..Mike and I [in my role as 'gofetch'] have begun the rust repairs, last Saturdaay we worked in the back corner on the drivers side.
Mike Ridley patiently and carefully treated the cladding ring and other parts re-assembled on the previous workday.
Thanks again the the chaps at the LES for your hospitality.
Mike Ridley patiently and carefully treated the cladding ring and other parts re-assembled on the previous workday.
Thanks again the the chaps at the LES for your hospitality.
Mar 9, 2009
Saturday March 7, 2009.
A beautiful autumn day with mild temperatures was a welcome change from the summer scorchers we have experienced on previous work days. An early phone call from the guys at Eveleigh was pleasing to note as on this day work is progressing in parallel on many fronts all over NSW. The new smoke box floor is now fitted and the temporary attachment of the blast pipe will facilitate the final fit of the smoke stack. The superheater header is work continuing with the lapping in of the pilot and drifting valves. The clean down and assessment of the boiler cradle revealed no issues and a coat of grey primer was applied to the entire right hand side. The two main reservoirs were disassembled in preparation for internal inspection and hydrostatic test. Work continues on the hind unit and the headstock received its second coat of red paint.
Alan Gardner
While the work continued in Canberra, work is also being undertaken in Sydney at the Large Erecting Shop in Eveleigh. The guys from 3801 Limited have made some space, and along with a few of the Canberra regulars, are restoring the cab to its previous glory. Ron Denholm has done a great job of removing years of grime and corrosion, having spent many a day with the needle gun, and now we are starting to repair the damage of years in the open. There is a lot of corroded material to remove and replace, some pieces to be re manufactured, and some modifications to be done before it is reunited with the frame in Canberra
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