April 2021 - Inside The Old Loco Shed

WELCOME TO THE APRIL 2021 TRACTION AND ROLLING STOCK UPDATE!

Locomotives:

​Eagle – No.08757
BR Class 08 Shunter (Gronk), 0-6-0DE
​New batteries were delivered and we wasted no time fitting them onto the loco. For the last 12 months, every time we have wanted to use the loco, it would have needed to go on charge several hours before so we were very happy once the new ones arrived. ​

• We first removed the old batteries and painted the battery trays to help reduce any rust forming.

• The new batteries were put in their boxes and connections made.

• The batteries were lifted outside of the shed to the loco and were installed.

• A test proved that they had all been connected up correctly and we fired her up! Since being fitted it has been much easier to start up and has seen some use out of them.

Hector – No. VL6
Ruston & Hornsby, 88DS, 0-4-0DM (Privately Owned)

• 04/04/21 – The inside of the bonnet had some clean up work done on it. First the engine was covered over to prevent dust and loose paint getting into the top half of the engine. The day was then spent scraping off all the loose and flaked paint off the panels and then wiped with an oily rag to prevent rust and corrosion in future. This may get painted in the future but is not completely necessary.
• 06/04/21 – On this night we looked at adjusting the fuel injection pump linkages to get the cold start to engage and disengage properly as well as adjusting the fuel to air mix for the correct altitude. This generally loosened the linkages, but the fuel cut off is still not working properly when you pull it out to turn the fuel on, it was lifting as you pulled it out.
• 08/04/21 – After the other days fuel injection pump adjustments where made we finalised it all and worked out why the fuel stop linkage was lifting when pulled out. We had discovered that the guide plate mounted on a cross bar in the bonnet was only bolted in on one end and was on the other bolt, distorting the guide lines angle. This was easily fixed by bolting the cross bar back into place on both sides and now all the linkages move much smoother and the fuel stop linkage now pulls out properly without pulling itself up, this now works perfectly fine. Also, the oil filter was then refitted after an adjustment had to be made to get all the disks to sit right to prevent any debris within the oil circulating to bearings etc.
• 11/04/21 to 15/04/21 – Once the bonnet was scraped and oily ragged, we were ready to start cleaning the top of the engine. This took a very long time spanned across 3 days. It consisted of removing the oil rocker trays and cleaning them, scraping out the muck and sludge around the valve springs and push rods which within all the muck, we found a valve stem cap and an air start cap which was previously missing. Thankfully now the engine is cleaned, and it looks great!
• 18/04/21 – This day was a productive day with many things going on. Early in the day was spent wire brushing the radiator fill tube and once that was done, a vacuum cleaner was used to suck out the debris. After this was done, with the top of the engine clean, the valve clearances were checked and adjusted to the correct specifications. Once the valve clearances were checked we added 7 ½ gallon of oil into the engine which takes the oil level in between the Min and Max. The last task we did that day was put some more water into the radiator to fill up the cooling system to check for leaks, and the only leak we found was on a heater pipe which had a hole punctured in it from rubbing on a bonnet cross brace, this is easily repairable thankfully.
• 20/04/21 – After the 18th’s discovery of a water pipe leak, on this night we drained the water system and removed the damaged heater pipe for repairs as well as the isolation valve which was seized. In addition, while there was no water in the loco’s system, we removed the thermostat for a quick check over and clean.
• 24/04/21 – There was nothing done on the engine or gearbox today but instead the wheels. They where scraped and wire brushed loosely and wiped with an oily rage just to make them look better and match the black frame better than the previously rusty colour, this looks a lot better now.
• 25/04/21 – After the thermostat had its clean out during the week it was then refitted with all newly made gaskets. Also, the repaired heater pipe was refitted as well as the isolation valve which was previously seized. The other heater pipe was then removed for a check over but also so we could isolate the water system from the cab heater. This allowed us to remove the cab heater which we be cleaned and restored back to working life for use during the cold days. After we assembled the water system as much as we could we looked back at the oil system, using the hand prime pump and some bean cans we flushed out any external oil lines of sludge. Surprisingly, there was not a massive amount of sludge thankfully. Last task of the day was to fill the gearbox with oil.
• 29/04/21 – This evening to end off the month we drained the fuel system and cleaned the oil pressure relief valve. This allows us to replace the donkey engine filter, clean the main engine filter as well as adding a fuel cut of tap on the fuel tank to prevent Diesel leaking into the donkey engine through the back pressure of the tank.

Powered Coaching Stock:

Class 142004 DMU
Vehicles No. 55545 & 55595 (Privately Owned)
Arrived on site 22/04 and expected to be staying with us for the foreseeable future. As it is privately owned we currently don't know what the plans are for the unit.
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Class 142058 DMU
Vehicles No. 55754 & 55708
​Arrived on site 15/04 and purchased by the trust. and there are currently no plans for the unit.

Carriage & Wagon:

TSO 5148
​The coach has been selected as one of the coaches we will use when re-opening.

• It has had some paint in several areas and a new latch attached to the steam heat cupboard door as it was previously broken.

• It is also undergoing a deep clean with cushions being removed etc.

TSO 5220
​This coach has also been selected as one of the coaches we will use when re-opening.

• A new step has been fitted on the North-H&D side of the coach after being broken a few weeks ago.

• This coach will also be undergoing a deep clean with the carpet already having received some attention.

BSOT 9406

• Continued work from the midweek crew with more of the wall panelling being given attention and a temporary workbench fitted in the luggage area to allow for a better workspace.

• The bogies are being painted and the rest of the underside has been needle-gunned in preparation for painting.

CRC 2 Brake Van
National Coal Board (Privately Owned)

• Painting has continued on both sides of the brake van and measurement taken for the rotten corner pilar.

(Thanks to Dave A)
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