Categories
Overhaul Update

March 2023 Report

Welcome to the March update.

I apologise for the lack of reports. My only excuse is that I have been in the Alpes skiing. Sadly came back injured which has impacted on me getting to Loughborough.

Work continues on the cleaning and preparing the inside of the frames for painting. Why is this taking so long? You may well ask. If the inside of the frames were plain steel plate it would be very quick and easy. Unfortunately, the frames have stretchers to keep the frames square and to add strength to support the wheels and boiler. Add to this pipe runs for steam fittings, vacuum pipework, conduit for the TPWS (Train Protection Warning System) electrical systems  as well as Horn blocks for the axleboxes and the axles, it becomes quite difficult to get to places let alone start to clean the accumulated oil and muck. Hopefully you’ll get a bit of feel for this from the pictures. One thing you may notice in the pictures is a large round valve hanging down with some white writing. This is the oil separator for the exhaust steam injector I have mentioned in previous reports. This is the first item that has been fitted back to the frames.

As you can also see from the pictures, we now have the driving wheels in undercoat black following a significant amount of needle gunning. The pony truck wheels will receive similar treatment shortly.

Work continues on the tender bogie frames. The axle box work is continuing in the machine  shop. The front tender bogie wheels have been sent to Tyseley for tyre turning and journal polishing. We expect them back in early May. Once received back, the front bogie will be reassembled and returned to beneath the tender. The tender will then be lifted again to release the rear bogie. We expect that the rear bogie wheels and axles boxes will require the same treatment as the front bogie.

As part of the overhaul, the boiler will require ultrasonic testing. This is schedule for later in April and will include magnetic particle inspection on the outer throat plate.

Work can continue at a much quicker pace if we had more people working on the locomotive. We are working most weekends and also most Thursdays and Fridays. 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

Thank you for your support for the overhaul of Sir Lamiel.

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

Categories
Overhaul Update

November 2022 Update

Welcome to the November update.

It feels like we’ve been working on the tender for ever. After the initial progress in stripping the brake rigging and cylinder and the resultant cleaning and painting, we got stuck in a bit of limbo as we waited for access to the jacks so that we could lift the tender and run out the bogies.

Our initial plan was to take the bogies outside for a thorough steam clean but this was not possible given the work on the shed roof and lighting. After cleaning underneath the tender we moved on to the front bogie.  his was lifted and the wheelsets run out. The front bogie frames have been thoroughly needle gunned removing all the old paint and the first coats of new paint has being applied. The machinist are hard at work on the axle boxes. The wheel sets have also been needle gunned and a coat of primer applied. We are gathering the quotes for the tyre turning and bearing polishing.

On the loco frames, the remaining oil and grease build up clean up continues on the inside surfaces. The steam pipes for the exhaust steam injectors were cleaning internally. These were heavily caked in cylinder oil and carbon. A fire was lit at the base of the pipes and as the heat built up in the pipes the oil was able to run out. They now require an external clean up and painting.

Now for some really good news. After our boilersmith had finished removing stays and set screws on the firebox. The stay holes were tapped out ready for new stays. An order was placed for 50 new stays and a box of shiny copper stays were delivered in late November. On Friday 25th November the first of the stays were screwed in to the firebox. This marks a real milestone on the overhaul. This was a £1000 investment in the locomotive. Fortunately we had a good weekend on the sales stand at the Last Hurrah gala at the GCR bringing in over £500 towards the stays costs.

We have recently been granted charity status by HMRC. This means that we can claim gift aid on all donations to our appeals. We are currently developing the paperwork and systems to support this. Further information will be provided when we’re all set to go.

Thank you for your support for the overhaul of Sir Lamiel.

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

Categories
Overhaul Update

September 2022 Update

Welcome to the September update. I’m sorry that this is a few weeks late as I’ve been on holiday with a little bit of railways thrown in. I thought that there were no railways in Cyprus but I managed to find the only remaining Cyprus Government Railway (CGR) station.

So what’s been happening? The Tender has been lifted and the bogies run out. Work started on cleaning off the accumulated grime. The plan was to take the bogies outside for cleaning but the work on the shed roof and on other locos in the shed has precluded this. To enable work to continue the rear bogie was returned under the Tender so that work could continue. The front bogie frame was lifted and the wheelsets run out. . This front bogie frames cleaning will now continue.

The axleboxes have been removed from the wheel sets and measured. Some work has been identified to “true up” the horn faces. The wheel tyres have also been measured. The wheel sets will require a visit to the wheel lathe for attention to the flanges and a polish on the journals. The axlebox bearings will also require whitemetalling. The underside of the tender is being cleaned down ready for repainting.

Needle gunning is still progressing on the loco frames. This is very noisy and laborious work. Needle gunning is only the first stage in frame cleaning. The next stage is to wire brush off the surfaces to clean off any remaining paint before a coat of primer can be applied.

On the boiler, our boilersmith continues removing stays and set screws on the firebox.

The other key area for us is raising funds to support Sir Lamiel’s overhaul. Over recent months, our sales stand has been to the Loughborough Model Railway exhibition, Statfold Barn Railway museum open day and the GCR Autumn gala raising over £1000.

We are having a working weekend on 12th and 13th November. If you would like to come and get involved on the overhaul please contact us on comms@5305la.org.uk

Thank you for your support for the overhaul of Sir Lamiel.

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

Categories
Overhaul Update

Sir Lamiel August 2022 Report

Welcome to the August update. We’ve had some good working days on the engine over the past few weeks with slow but steady progress.

On the tender work has continued with preparing various components for painting. This has included sandblasting the eight horn ties and applying primer and undercoat. The tender has been cleared of various removed components to enable access to the coal space. We need to cut out the floor of the coal space to give us better access to the inside of the water tank. This will enable us to identify where we need to replace steel on the tank.  We have also prepared to lift the tender and await a slot on the jacks. One lifted the bogies will be run out and examined. They will receive a thorough clean down. The axleboxes, journals and horn faces will be examined and repaired as required.

Needle gunning is progressing well on the loco frames. Work continues between the frames. We have also made good progress on needle gunning the wheels. The front buffer beam and rear drag box have also been cleaned and primer applied. The steam pipe and oil separator for exhaust injector is also being cleaned up and painted.

You may be wondering what an oil separator is and why is connected to the exhaust injector? The exhaust injector uses steam that has been used in the cylinders instead of live steam from the boiler. This is an efficient use of steam to put water in to the boiler when running at speed, but it relies on the regulator being open. As the steam has been used in the cylinders it will be carrying oil from the cylinder lubricators. Unfortunately, layers of oil on directly heated surfaces in the firebox will cause overheating and potential distortion of the platework. The oil separator is a large round component (see pictures) containing a large spiral deflector which the steam passes through. As the steam comes in to contact with the internal surfaces the oil becomes attached and drains to a release valve.

We are about to source the castings for the new cylinder liners. As previously reported, this will cost in the region of £10k. We are still keen to hear from anyone who would like to support us with donations towards the liners and their machining.

Work continues on removing stays and set screws on the firebox. We are now calculating how much copper bar is required for stay manufacturing. Initial expectations are that we will need about 15 metres of bar which will cost £1,300. Again, we’re keen to talk to anyone who can help us with purchasing the bar.

We are having a working weekend on 20th and 21st August, If you’re around the GCR at the weekend, please come and find us in the shed at Loughborough. Come and say hello and see how the work is progressing.

Thank you for your support for the overhaul of Sir Lamiel.

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

Categories
Overhaul Update Overhaul Update

Chairman’s Report June 2022

Welcome to the June Chairman’s report.

Work has continued on cleaning up the inside of the frames. There has been more needle gunning action on the inside of the frames. We are now in the front section just behind the smokebox saddle where there has been a lot less heat damage, so the frames are in a very much better condition. They’re still covered in oil and grease though. Work now centres on removing the this before preparing for painting.

Inside the frames under and towards the smokebox saddle area.

We’ve also made a start on needle gunning the paint off the wheels and bogie frames.

More black shiny new paint has been applied to the Tender steps, brake cylinder hangers and cab fall plate and vacuum brake cylinder. These will all shortly need to be moved to the containers for safe storage.

The superheater elements and other components stored in the tender coal space are now being removed as we are next in the queue for the lifting jacks now that the J94 has been re-wheeled. This will allow the bottom sections of the coal space to be removed to access the inside of the tank.

The recently stripped down the cab reverser mechanism has been carefully measured up and the parts taken to the machinists for the new collar to be made.

The large pipes for the steam supply to the exhaust injector have been externally cleaned and await the dirty job of removal of the accumulated cylinder oil from the bores. Where does the oil come from? All locomotives have some form of cylinder lubrication either by a mechanical or hydrostatic lubricator. This delivers thick “steam” oil to the atomiser to spray into the cylinder when the engine is moving. The exhaust injectors use the steam coming out of the cylinders to pick up the water in the injector. As the steam travels to the injector the oil is deposited in the pipes. Best way of cleaning this out is with a steam cleaner which blasts steam down the pipe. As you can imagine this is a necessary but dirty job. Any volunteers want to come and have a go?

Exhaust Steam Pipes

The more volunteers we can get working on Sir Lamiel the quicker we can complete the overhaul. Please contact comms@5305la.org.uk

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

5305 Locomotive Association.

Categories
Overhaul Update

May 2022 Update

Welcome to the May Chairman’s report. This is probably the most difficult stage of an overhaul to work through. Volunteers spend many hours cleaning down, removing paint and preparing surfaces. The only sign of progress is a fresh coat of primer or undercoat. However, getting this bit right is important as it sets the tone for the quality of work on the rest of the overhaul.

Work has continued on cleaning up the inside of the frames. There’s been loads more needle gunning action, followed up with some serious wire brushing leading up to a coat of red primer. The area from the drag box forward to the middle driving axle has now received its first coat of pink undercoat. The action has now moved forward to the frames between the leading driving axles. It’s a bit more cramped here though as there are frame stretchers to squeeze between and duck under.

Inside of the frames starting to look smart.

The Tender steps, brake cylinder hangers and cab fall plate are now receiving multiple coats of undercoat and topcoat black. Plenty more coats of paint required before these parts will be ready for refitting. The vacuum brake cylinder has been stripped down and the rolling and sealing rings replaced. It’s been put back together and will join the painting queue.

Cab fall plate and tender brake cylinder with the first layers of paint.

Our volunteer working on removing the stays has been in hospital. Get well soon Dave. I know that he can’t wait to get back to Loughborough to continue work. Meantime, we have started work on removing the set screws in the firebox.

We recently stripped down the cab reverser mechanism. Sir Lamiel has suffered from the reverser vibrating when running at speed. Stripping down the mechanism has revealed that the thread on the Locking Collar has become worn and there is about a 16th of an inch play. The Locking Collar will need to be replaced. This will be a real task as the Collar has a double thread.

Dismantled cab reverser mechansim.

So, we’re making slow but steady progress. It’s been said many times before that “many hands make light work” but it really is true. The more volunteers we can get working on Sir Lamiel the quicker we can complete the overhaul. Please contact comms@5305la.org.uk

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

5305 Locomotive Association.

Categories
Overhaul Update Overhaul Update

March 2022

Welcome to the March Chairman’s report. Unfortunately, a skiing accident has precluded me from doing much real work this month. I’m on the mend now and it was great to get back to Loughborough last week.

Not much progress on needle gunning the frames this month but the needle gun has still seen some serious use.

The brake gear on the tender continues to be removed. After the brake cylinder was removed attention turned to the brake beam support brackets. These took some serious hard work to remove, as did the tender front steps. I’m assured there was some heat and a significant amount of swearing involved. Once removed the steps and brackets were needle gunned and finished.

The good news from the boiler inspector in January work was quickly underway to start the stay removal. This involves drilling out each stay starting with a very small drill and gradually using bigger drills until the drill touches the sides of the platework. This must be done on the outside and inside of each stay. We need to drill out 70 stays!

In the locomotives’ cab the floor has been removed. The cab “Fall Plate”, which bridges the gap between the engine and the tender, has been removed and needle gunned. All the electrical gear associated with the TPWS system has been disconnected to enable access to the rotten back boards.

As all the components are being removed and cleaned up the next stage is several coats of paint. The area round the tender is the main painting area. There is a range of parts in various stages of painting drying off.

We have our initial materials shopping list. A growing concern is the rise in inflation and how that will impact our material costs. So, although it will be a year before we need things, like tubes, we will be placing orders in the next few months. Fund raising continues. Over the first three months of this year, we have raised over £1500 through the sales stand and shed shop. Anyone who can help us source or pay for these materials please get in touch (Comms@5305la.org.uk)

Current material requirements

New valve and cylinder liner castings £10k

Copper bar for stay production £1k

Boiler tubes – Small £7k

Boiler tubes – Flue £3k

Bottle ends for flue tubes £1.5k

Steel bar for set screws £1k

The next few weeks will be continuing to get the tender ready for lifting, needle gunning the frames and dismantling the wooden underfloor structure to remove the rotting boards.

We are planning a big working weekend over Easter. If you’re visiting the GCR over the Easter weekend, please drop by the loco shed and stay hi.

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

5305 Locomotive Association.

Categories
Overhaul Update

February 2022 Update

Now that the pandemic seems to be receding and restrictions are being relaxed, we’ve had a good start to the year with some real progress.

We’ve made a good start on cleaning up the frames but realized that shifting the oil and grease is only the start of the process and we’ve had to employ some heavy-duty equipment to really get the surfaces ready for painting. All the old paint and exposed areas of rust will need to be removed by needle gunning the inside of the frames. Once completed the frames will be wire brushed in preparation for painting.

The brake gear on the tender continues to be removed. The vacuum cylinder has been taken out. Work is now focused on the tender steps and brake cylinder brackets as they will need to be removed to enable the placement of the lifting beams to lift the tender tank.

  • Cleaned tender steps with traces of original lining
  • Tender step cleaned and primed ready for painting.

The good news is that we’ve had the visit from the boiler inspector in January. The inspector has confirmed that we need to change around 70 stays, examine the roof stays and a weld on the outer firebox plate work. We also decided to change some seam set screws. All of this was expected and was already part of our work schedule. Our volunteer boiler specialist has started work on preparations for the stay removal.

The first stays are starting to be removed.

The locomotives’ cab floor has been removed to expose the drag box and wooden floor support structure. There are two large boards that support the fall plate (a steel flap that covers the gap between the engine and tender). These are rotten and will need replacement. The boards are about 8 foot long, 1 foot wide and 3 inches. thick We will need to source two pieces of hard wood as replacements.

Removing the footplate fall plate.

We now have the start of our materials shopping list. It is going to be expensive but it’s very much in line with our initial expectations and budgeting. Anyone who can help us source or pay for the materials please get in touch (Comms@5305la.org.uk)

Current material requirements

New valve and cylinder liner castings £10k

Copper bar for stay production £1k

Boiler tubes – Small £7k

Boiler tubes – Flue £3k

Bottle ends for flue tubes £1.5k

Steel bar for set screws £1k

The next few weeks will be focused on getting the tender ready for lifting, needle gunning the frames and dismantling the wooden underfloor structure to remove the rotting boards.

Alan Berck-May

Chairman

5305 Locomotive Association.

Categories
News

777 Sir Lamiel Progress Report

We’ve made good progress on Sir Lamiel’s overhaul. Obviously the COVID 19 restrictions have affected progress. Our target is to return Sir Lamiel to working order in time to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2025. The overhaul will be to full mainline standard and will be based at Loughborough on the Great Central Railway. In 2020 we launched a fund-raising appeal “Knights of the Round table” to raise £80,000 to help us fund the overhaul.

Initial work to strip down the locomotive began in 2020. The boiler was lifted from the Frames in October 2021. The internal boiler surfaces have been cleaned up and all the cladding is being removed. The good news is that the boiler inspector has completed his examination and our assessment of the work required has been confirmed. With no major issues found, we can push forward with the overhaul.

  • 777’s frame minus it’s boiler
  • 777’s boiler in it’s new home.

Work is continuing on the tender. All the brake gear has been removed, cleaned up and painted and is now being stored. Currently we are preparing the tender for lifting. This will enable the tender bogies to be run out for examination and cleaning. The motion, pistons and valves have been removed from the frames. The cylinders will require reboring and new liners fitting. Work has also started on preparing the insides of the loco’s frames for painting. Degreasing is also continuing on the outside of the frames. The plan is to lift the frames from the wheels this year. We have, with help from the Great Central Railway, invested in two containers to store components securely.

  • Needle gunning the inside of the frames
  • Descaling the inside of the boiler for the inspector
  • Crosshead, Piston and Valves removed
  • Inside the valve
  • A “before” picture of the tender cab floor
  • A “after” picture ready for painting and new cab floor

We’re still looking to increase our membership and the numbers of working volunteers, especially anyone willing to join the sales stand team.

If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact comms@5305la.org.uk

The news from the boiler inspector is very welcome. However, the cost of the copper bar for the replacement stays and new tubes etc will not be cheap. Orders will need to be placed soon if we are to meet our target of 2024.

There are a few ways you can help us:

Join the Knights of the Round Table is main way of supporting the overhaul of Sir Lamiel

Knights

There is also the opportunity to make one off or regular monthly donations.

Monthly DOnations

Become a working volunteer.

Join US

Please help us to complete Sir Lamiel’s overhaul in any way you can.

Alan Berck-May Chairman
Alan.berck-may@5305la.org.uk

777 Sir Lamiel is the only surviving Southern Railway King Arthur Class locomotive. Sir Lamiel is part of the National Collection of locomotives loaned to 5305 Locomotive Association by the National Railway Museum.

Categories
News Overhaul Update Overhaul Update

January 2022 Update

Work continues on Sir Lamiel. We have made some good progress on cleaning down the inside of the frames, and we’ve now started the noisy phase. The needle gunners, Mike and I, have been hard at work and the pit at Loughborough is now filling with red paint chips. Once all the paint is removed, we will then mechanically wire brush the frames and apply some new paint.

Alan needle gunning the between the frames of 777

On the tender, work has continued on removing the brake gear in preparation for the lift. The heavy lifting gang, Jim and John, were in at the weekend to remove the vacuum cylinder bracket and the front steps. The tender is now virtually ready to lift as soon as the jacks are available.

We’re making some great progress already this year. We’ve also had the boiler inspector examine the boiler. The good news is that we had already identified and planned to do all the required repairs the inspector has identified. This means that our work schedule is not affected by additional boiler work. We can now make plans to buy the materials required to do the work.

We’ve also carried on fitting out our containers with racking so that we can store components. There are volunteers working most weekends now, as well as Mike and I doing a couple of days a month in the week. There’s plenty to do now that the boiler, frames and tender have been separated.

The shed shop is also being modernised with improved electrics and shelving. We’re aiming to get the shop open at least once per month.

Our new shed shop open during the bitterly cold Eastern Weekend

If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact comms@5305la.org.uk We want to involve as many members as possible to help us get Sir Lamiel back in steam. Even if you can only have a few hours a month to open the shed shop, it will be really useful.

As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, the challenge of fundraising remains. The news from the boiler inspector is very welcome. However, the cost of the copper bar for the replacement stays and new tubes etc will not be cheap. Orders will need to be placed soon if we are to meet our target of 2024.  There are a few ways you can help us. If you haven’t already you can  :-

Please help us to complete Sir Lamiel’s overhaul in any way you can.

Thanks for your support

Alan Berck-May

Chairman