Depot Report for Friday 31st January & Saturday 1st February

Another two-day report and a busy one for the Volunteers present.

Power Units.

The phasing case from 423 was eventually split from the engine. At one point we thought it would never surrender, it is now ready to go away for a holiday to Wales (Compact Orbital Gears, Rhayader) ). Upon removal, the case revealed a couple of interesting things. The skeletal remains of two birds were found inside the triangle along with a complete nest and one egg. Like 430's gears were stamped with 428, those inside 423 were marked as 436 except one which was 427. Once the casing was laid flat on timber blocks a team set about cleaning the very dirty inside as well as the case front and by close of play the transformation was amazing.

Both pics Steve Clark.

I have heard today, Tuesday, from Compact Orbital Gears, that the gears from 415 have been installed into 430 and all is looking good.

55009

Work continued with trial fitting the two secondman's quarterlight windows. This is rather a delicate operation as the holes required for the fixings need drilling very close to the edge. Apparently for some unknown reason one has been cut larger than the other but this is being slowly cut to size.

D9015.

Another day of toil for the 'Delectricians' working away on the circuitry and sorting minor issues to help us get closer to the day when the loco does eventually surrender to us - and is able to move under its own power. Later in the day after some progress the loco was charged with air and the power circuit pneumatic contactors were manually operated with success. A few missing wooden cable clamps for under the cab footsteps were manufactured along with the missing retaining brackets. All fitted and steps secured back down. At the same time a couple of the wooden blocks for retaining the cables in place to the traction motors were refitted.

Pic Bill Stevens.

Both of the driver's M8AM Brake Valves were removed and the 'O' rings were replaced, now air tight.

55019 @ GCR

The purchase order no. for the new batteries was placed this week.

Mike Hallam-Rudd.