Welcome to the June update.
Once again, work has continued on the frames. The bottom of the cab sides, running plate and running plate framework has been needle gunned and primed. The running plate top has received two coats of undercoat black. The inside of the rear splashers has been cleaned, primed and undercoated. Apart from a few final cleaning and painting jobs the frames are virtually finished presentation wise. The cab sides and splashers will remain in red primer until we do the final painting when Sir Lamiel is all back together.
The three cracked valve liners have been removed and the bores cleaned out. An order will be placed for casting three new liners which will need to be machined before fitting.
A start has been made on cleaning up the motion in preparation for refitting. Interestingly, whilst cleaning the driver’s side connecting rod the number 787 appeared. King Arthur 30787 Sir Menadeuke was scrapped in 1959.
The work on the boiler is in the final stages. The new grate carriers have been trial fitted ready for some serious riveting to the bottom of the firebox and foundation ring. On the superheater header all the studs have been removed and are in the process of hole taping ready for new studs. The front tube plate studs for the header have been removed and the holes rethreaded. The studs for the clacks on the boiler sides are also being removed.
It really feels like we’ve turned a corner this year. The locomotive is coming together and even with a fair bit of red oxide, it looks good with new paintwork. As I’ve said before work can continue at a much quicker pace if we had more people working on the locomotive. We have had a couple of new volunteers recently but there’s always room for more. 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