Misc.

So many different jobs being worked on at the moment! It's difficult to know where to start. Bill has been busy working on preparing the boiler cladding for final paintwork. The galvanised steel has been coated with an etching primer. A section of final top coat has been applied with a very nice shade of gloss red. Around the back of the boiler he has been putting efforts into provide a safe working platform for maintaining the various fixtures and fittings on the boiler. Utilising an old industrial metal ladder we had from our old vertical boiler you can now climb up onto a timber planked section running the length of the Marshall. We await to see the paintwork finished and when a surprise might be in store for Bill... However you will have to keep your eyes peeled on the blog for an update on this later.

With a hydraulic test of the air receiver discussed in the last post completed, it was lifted off its cradle and placed on its side work will now begin on cleaning all the old paint from it taking it back to bare metal and then re coating in a zinc rich primer and a top coat. We can then get the fittings cleaned up and where nessesary replaced before having an inspection from our qualified pressure vessel man!

The pair of railway points in the courtyard have become rather imbedded with soil and gravel so Alan had a good clean out and got the mechanism clear to ensure smooth operation, this is last place we want a derailment... Most embarrassing with hoards of visitors watching your every move!

Utilising the new steel sleepers we have partly put together a 6m panel of 30lb rail as a test. The rail will need drilling for fish plates and some will need to be trimmed to tidy up the flame cut ends. These components are a lot heavier than we are used to! These will then be used to replace existing 14lb rail to allow larger visiting locos and future public operation. 

Graham's has been busy putting his lister deep well pump back together now it is all fixed down on its base! the piston and rod has been installed as has the main body with a fair bit of effort. The next step is to assemble all the remaining components and then look at mounting the electric motor to drive it! Nearly there so watch this space a video will be uploaded to youtube! 

And finally, the old Crossley air receiver has now become a sign! A suitably official parking sign vinyl has been added to the outside of the tank directing our visitors across the level crossing into the car park!