As promised in our last update, below you can see the latest authenticated date photograph of 6989 in service taken at Old Oak Common on 3rd May 1964, just 12 weeks before she travelled in convoy from Gloucester to Barry scrap yard. We now have 58 pictures of her in service.

Photo:
Mike Green - 6989 at Old Oak Common 3rd May 64.

We are now settled in our new home and spend less time commuting between the down and up yard sheds. The time we have saved has helped us make more progress on the tender frame in particular. The vacuum, steam heat and water pipe work is complete apart from one tap off we need to make for the vacuum gauge. The brake components are back with us and in the process of being fitted. They have had to be fitted, removed, some machining done and then refitted several times in order to ensure the system operates freely. We have now obtained the last moving part for the tender, the drip trap non-return valve.

Construction of the tank is going well and we have the tank rear and rearmost 2 sets of baffles in place. They are tacked in place for now so that we can be sure the tank is square and true before we commit to seam welds. We plan to have all of the baffles in place by the end of March and the tank substantially completed by year-end.

The loco has not been completely neglected and the injector to clack valve pipes on the driver's side are complete and those on the fireman's side well underway. The pipe run on this side is a little more convoluted due to the fire iron tunnel. We have also started trial fitting and adjusting the injector live steam feed pipes.

Due to changed domestic circumstances, Jeff Jackson has stood down as Chairman of the 6989 Group and has been succeeded by Rod Wallis. Jeff will still maintain the history of the locomotive and the 6989 Website and work on the restoration. Jeff will be working every 4 weeks on a Tuesday and Wednesday so if anyone would like to come along and help just pop along; the next session following this edition of QN will be 5th and 6th May. You would also be made welcome every other Sunday commencing 18th Jan 09. If you axe interested just come along to the 6989 shed, or see Charlie Jones.

As ever Chris Tayler would really appreciate some help in manning the 6989 shop so that we can raise the cash to sustain the good progress we are making.

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 2009 and so does not reflect events in the 10+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
6989 Update - Quainton News No. 101 - April 2009