Welcome to the May update.
Work has continued on the frames.. The locomotive was moved a few feet to enable further cleaning and preparation work on the wheels and spring hangers The wheels have now received top coat black paint. The cylinders have been given a final wire brushing and have received a couple of coats of heatproof black paint. Attention has now turned to removing any remaining paint on the side and front running plates in preparation for painting.
The retaining studs for three of the valve liners have been removed ready for the removal of the liners. New liners will be cast and machined over the summer. All of the cylinder cladding has been cleaned and primed
The reassembled front tender bogie is ready to go back under the tender. We are awaiting another tender lift so that the rear bogie can be run out ready for dismantling. We are also starting work on fitting low level water filler points on the tender.
Outside on the boiler, the front tubeplate tube holes have been threaded. The superheater header has been removed to enable the outer large tube holes to be threaded. The superheater header will have the main steam pipe studs removed and renewed. The tubes are on order. The large tube holes have measured so that an order can be placed for the new bottle ends. Bottle ends are welded to the end of the large tubes at the firebox end.
Work can continue at a much quicker pace if we had more people working on the locomotive. We are working most weekends If you would like to get involved in the overhaul and join us on a working weekend, please contact us at comms@5305la.org.uk We are also at a stage where we can outsource some of the technical work. This obviously will impact our cost plans. If you are able to offer us further financial support through donations please go to https://www.sirlamiel.org.uk/monthly-donations/ We also accept donations of railway related items and books to sell in our shed shop and sales stand. Please contact us at comms@5305la.org.uk.
Thank you for your support for the overhaul of Sir Lamiel.
Alan Berck-May
Chairman