News from Pendre
Thanks to Alex Eyres for sending in this report and accompanying photographs.
Pendre is a very busy place at the moment and there is a lot to report on.
Having got Edward Thomas and Tom Rolt through their winter exams we began running trains on February 4th, using No.4. In December we unexpectedly had to change the bottom 5 tubes in the boiler after one burst a hole during the hydraulic test, and on February 4th another couple of tubes began leaking during the lunch time layover and at the end of the day (i.e. whenever the boiler was cooling). Our esteemed Engineering Manager made an attempt to expand them, only to encounter burst holes in another two tubes. So No.7 had a run out on the first day of the ½ term service through the remains of the snow that covered the line a few days earlier. No.4 (now with two plugged tubes) then made it out for the rest of last week without problem, and No.7 is running the remaining ½ term services of this week. Current thinking is that we will have to completely re-tube No.4 later on this year when we have some of the other engines available for traffic.
The centre of attention at the moment is Talyllyn. The valve gear is complete, and trust me the reverser is very stiff to operate! A second mechanical lubricator has been fitted to the fireman's side running plate to provide additional lubrication to the cylinders. The boiler was lifted into the frames on 5th February and during the following weekend's working party we lagged and cladded the boiler, and fitted the ashpan and firegrate. We have also refurbished the bunkers and saddle tank, which are now refitted to the loco and yesterday it was posed with No.2 in the yard at Pendre. Staff and volunteers are all working very hard to meet a deadline with this loco and although it may now look complete, there are still some important parts missing, such as brake gear, drain cock and sanding linkages, injectors, steam manifold and associated controls, and gauge glass fittings which are completely new and need some skilled machining down to size. Not to forget the tubes in the boiler are brand new (although fitted in 2004) so the loco will need gentle steaming and running in, in the near future.
Moving back to the other locos... Duncan has had all its boiler plugs refitted and was steam tested on Sunday 18th February without a problem, so this loco should get through its boiler test and shortly be passed fit to run for the final year of its 10 year ticket.
Some work has been completed on Sir Haydn's main steam pipe and it just awaits fitting to the loco, as does the new regulator valve. Once this is done we can light a fire and steam test the loco.
And finally Dolgoch has seen very little attention, as it still awaits a repair to the small crack in the firebox.
The winter maintenance programme is far from finished so if you would like to come and help, please get in touch so that suitable jobs can be arranged. The next working party will be March 3rd and 4th.
Nick Fieldhouse preparing to wire brush inside No.7s firebox (November
2006)
Half way through the re-tube of No.3s boiler some of the ends have been
flared and beaded over (December 2006)
The failed tube removed from No.4
Jeff applying bitumastic paint to the inside of No.1s
tank
Testing No.7s safety valves
Making use of a loco in steam on a January day
Nick in wet weather gear ready to wash out No.2s
boiler
The completed valve gear of No.1
Shunting No.1 with the recently fitted boiler which now has lagging, cladding,
an ashpan and firegrate
Carefully lowering the saddle tank into position
Bunkers are now also in position, and during a shunt
we take the chance to pose the loco with its sister
The afternoon tea break crowd admire the Fletcher Jennings
pair
