BRC Website Home
Quainton Virtual Stockbook
Quainton News Archive - Quainton News No. 62 - Spring 1987
Shed Noticeboard - From the Ashpit - Loco Department News
Met. No. 1 has been laid up for the winter. This involved cleaning the tubes, firebox and smokebox, draining the boiler and blowing through all the pipework in which water could collect. All this work actually had to be carried out twice, because a filming job was only finalised after the season had finished. Only routine maintenance will be needed to see the Met. fighting fit for the new season. Having been laid up for the winter, some small repair jobs have been carried out on the Pannier and she should be ready for 1987. However, the leaks in the firebox will require attention after Easter and to this end the services of a Carnforth boilersmith have been engaged. The NBL has been notorious amongst loco crews for not producing steam - a small problem! The closed season has seen the loco gang disappear in to the smokebox to investigate the cause of the lack of puff. After extensive use of a ruler and many calculations, it became clear that all the problems stem from the fact that the only correct dimension within the smokebox was the internal diameter of the blast pipe, definitely a legacy of its days with the NCB. A revised smoke box layout has been on the drawing board and by Easter loco crews should not be quaking in their boots when they discover that they have been rostered for a spell on the footplate. The Fireless will be available for service in 1987, but is in need of a repaint. The Flying Bufferbeam is 'winterised', but will be ready for Easter. The six coupled Barclay has been reassembled and is being cosmetically restored as a static exhibit. On completion of the necessary work, the boiler has been reunited with the frames of the big Peckett. The 04 has seen much use through the winter (it's got a cab heater!) and has been steam-cleaned in readiness for a repaint. Esso 1 is fully serviceable and sees a great deal of use in the Up Yard. Work continues on Esso 2. The rear buffer beam has been removed and the old final drive extracted. Drawings are being prepared to determine the exact modifications that will be required to allow the replacement drive unit to be fitted. The Southerngas diesel is to be repainted by Southerngas and the air receivers are to be inspected by our insurance company before going into service. The Kerr Stuart is serviceable - when it can be started! The heavy Hunslet 0-6-0DH is receiving a major service and repaint - and it is hoped to bring it to use by the Spring. |
Notes: Reference: |
Text © Quainton Railway Society / Photographs © Quainton Railway Society or referenced photographer
Email Webmaster
Page Updated: 25 November 2017