Overhaul of Locomotive 34072 '257 Squadron'

[34053]

Were you wondering where I have been?????????? Well, Mama Wedgy and I have been away for a couple of weeks. Now back in circulation again, suitably refreshed.

Will be posting an Update on 'Squadron', in due course. Watch this space

PW

[34053]

As promised, here is an Update on the latest situation with 34072, as recently posted on the website of Southern Locomotives Ltd.

- Use the link below for the 'Latest News' (May 2014):

http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/News/news.html

- Some interesting Photos have now been added to the 'SLL Galleries' showing work carried out both on and off site. Please use the link below (Pics 64 to 73 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 1977279218

PW

[Dougs]

Lots and lots of nice shiny new parts

[34053]

I was unable to attend the June 'Volunteer Session' at Herston Works. However, some photos have now been added to the website of Southern Locomotives Ltd and can be seen by using the link below (Pics 74 to 83 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 5920893762

Work is progressing quite well although currently, for us Volunteers, it is mainly concerned with the cleaning up of the rusty parts off the Locomotive. At least they had some sunshine to do this in, this time!

PW

[34053]

A quick Update for you on the progress with 'Squadron':

- Work on both the Locomotive and the Tender is going well. The Tender will have a new Tank fitted, at Adam Dalgleish's Works, Stockton on Tees (where the Boiler is currently under Restoration) as soon as our work on the 'Rolling Chassis' is complete.

- On the Locomotive, virtually all the necessary pipework is now complete, to enable the Boiler to be installed when ready. The Driving Wheel axle boxes are being reinstated, in preparation for the Re-wheeling. Construction of the New Smokebox will commence very soon. The Cab is nearing completion, following which the fabrication of the 'air smoothed casing' (Oliver Bulleid's original design for this Class of Locomotive) and supports will commence. All of the 'new' casing fabricated for the original 'Restoration' of this Locomotive - completed in 1990 - is scrap, but should be useful as 'templates'. Use the link below to see details of the original Restoration work (from 'Scrap Yard' condition):

http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/3 ... ation.html

- The Boiler Restoration work is progressing well at Adam Dalgleish's Works and should be completed in good time for reuniting it with the Locomotive Frames.

It is hoped that it may be possible to have THREE 'Battle of Britain Class' Locomotives: 34053 'Sir Keith Park'; 34070 'Manston' and 34072 '257 Squadron' together for the 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain, in September 2015.

A few more photos have been added to the Southern Locomotives Ltd website. Please use the link below (Pics 84 to 87 incl):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 1534765730

PW

[Ipso]

Thanks for the update!

[34053]

Some more photos have been posted on the Southern Locomotives Ltd website, showing the work being carried out, during the early part of August. Please use the link below (Pics 88 to 95 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 9145496866

There are a couple which I want to draw your attention to:

- Pic 91 shows the Steam Operated 'Reverser' - a unique feature of the 'original' (unrebuilt) Bulleid Pacifics - operated via a (sliding) control lever in the Cab. Quite a tricky item to operate, until you get used to it. (Get it wrong and you can do a lot of damage!).

- Pic 94 shows the Lubricators, located '....at the front of the loco, below the smokebox door....'. Again, a feature of the 'original' (unrebuilt') Locomotives - but not really an ideal position (especially when shovelling all the ash out of the Smokebox at the end of the working day!). But Mr Bulleid must have had his reasons for doing this? [The 'rebuilt' Bulleid Pacifics have the Lubricators mounted on the Running Plate, alongside the Boiler].

PW

[Dougs]

Some more photos have been posted on the Southern Locomotives Ltd website, showing the work being carried out, during the early part of August. Please use the link below (Pics 88 to 95 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 9145496866

There are a couple which I want to draw your attention to:

- Pic 91 shows the Steam Operated 'Reverser' - a unique feature of the 'original' (unrebuilt) Bulleid Pacifics - operated via a (sliding) control lever in the Cab. Quite a tricky item to operate, until you get used to it. (Get it wrong and you can do a lot of damage!).

- Pic 94 shows the Lubricators, located '....at the front of the loco, below the smokebox door....'. Again, a feature of the 'original' (unrebuilt') Locomotives - but not really an ideal position (especially when shovelling all the ash out of the Smokebox at the end of the working day!). But Mr Bulleid must have had his reasons for doing this? [The 'rebuilt' Bulleid Pacifics have the Lubricators mounted on the Running Plate, alongside the Boiler].

PW

I wouldn't fancy the steam reverser the gearbox version is way more sensible

[34053]

Some recent Photos (23rd October) have been added to the Southern Locomotives Ltd website showing the latest progress on 34072. Please use the link below (Pics 96 to 106 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 9352076466

Also included are some interesting pics showing the Re-Boilering of 80104 at the Swanage Railway (Pics 107 to 111 incl.).

I am attending the 'Volunteer Session' at Herston Works this month, so will be able to give you a 'first hand' Report afterwards.

PW

[Dougs]

fantastic i am getting to be a bit of a BoB class Geek as i have got to make all those lovely bits in minature shame its going to be a Spam Can in the end though love the rebuilt ones sooooo much more!

[34053]

Although I too love the Rebuilt Bulleids, I do have a sentimental affection for the 'Originals' ('Spam Cans'). It was these that I mostly saw in my 'trainspotting' days, at Clapham Junction and Waterloo, as well as seeing them on the 'overhead' passing my School in Lambeth Road (en route to Waterloo) or near the family home in Brixton.

However, be patient Dougs; when 'Squadron' is finished (hopefully by September 2015, in time for the 75th Anniversary of the 'Battle of Britain that month) next in line for 'Heavy Overhaul' is..................34028 'Eddystone'.

PW

[Sooty655]

It can't be a "heavy" overhaul, PW. Even Peter Paul and Mary know it is the Eddystone Light.

I'll get my coat...............

[34053]

It can't be a "heavy" overhaul, PW. Even Peter Paul and Mary know it is the Eddystone Light.

I'll get my coat...............

Nice one Sooty.

Yes, 'Eddystone', the only Steam Locomotive to be named after a Lighthouse.

PW

[Dougs]

Although I too love the Rebuilt Bulleids, I do have a sentimental affection for the 'Originals' ('Spam Cans'). It was these that I mostly saw in my 'trainspotting' days, at Clapham Junction and Waterloo, as well as seeing them on the 'overhead' passing my School in Lambeth Road (en route to Waterloo) or near the family home in Brixton.

However, be patient Dougs; when 'Squadron' is finished (hopefully by September 2015, in time for the 75th Anniversary of the 'Battle of Britain that month) next in line for 'Heavy Overhaul' is..................34028 'Eddystone'.

PW

dont get me wrong I love the insides of squadron its the last bit I dont like when you cover it all up
I will have to set myself (Mini SKP Build) a target to beat Eddistone to steam up then. I do like a good deadline!

[34053]

Wednesday 5th November 2014: A BIG Day for 34072 '257 Squadron' - the Re-wheeling of the Frames! Please use the link below to see the photos (Pics 112 to 132 incl.) of this 'milestone':

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 3984495554

(Photos courtesy of Southern Locomotives Ltd.).

PW

[Minty4371]

Nice to see your loco now has its wheels. Think 82045 will get them either later this year, or early next year.

[34053]

I will be posting a short Report, etc. in due course, following my time at the November 'Volunteer Session' at Herston Works, Swanage last week. (Since I returned last Saturday, my attention seems to have been diverted to other matters!).

Watch this space.

PW

[34053]

As promised, here is my Report, following the November 'Volunteer Session' at Herston Works:

- It was great to see 'Squadron' now really looking like a Locomotive again - with all the Wheels on. All we need now is the Boiler! However, quite a bit of work to be done before (and after) this happens. Although, quite a lot of the 'stuff you don't see' has already been installed; not least, the extensive runs of small bore copper, lubrication pipework.

- The new Tender Frames are now the 'right way up' and also on its Wheels. A Team of Volunteers was given the job of installing the Brake Gear on the Tender. This comprised just a 'kit of parts', all to be identified and assembled, prior to fitting on the Tender. A lot easier said than done!!!

- I was part of a 3 man Team, working in the dirty, cramped (especially with 3 of us!) conditions underneath the Locomotive. The Horn Guides to the axles of the Driving Wheels are held in place by a very heavy, rectangular plate, fixed to four fixing studs. We had to first of all clean the existing studs and nuts, etc. We then had to, individually, raise each of the six plates onto the studs, before fixing the nuts, washers and split pins. A great piece of 'Team Work'. The Driving Wheels nearest to the Oil Sump were the most difficult, due to the even more restricted access to tighten the nuts. One of the completed plates can be seen on Pic 137 - see the link below. The next job (for some 'lucky' Volunteers) will be the installation of the Locomotive Leaf Springs (shown on Pic 138) in these same locations.

- I also assisted a fellow Volunteer in fitting the Sanding Pipes and Guns, for the Centre and Rear Driving Wheels. (These are not fitted to the Front Driving Wheels, due to the risk of sand getting onto the Slide Bars). It was interesting to note that, when installed, the Guns (on the end of the pipework) were virtually touching the Driving Wheels. However, with the weight of the Boiler, etc. - when installed - the Frames will drop and the Guns will then have the required clearance off the Wheels.

A few photos have been added to the Southern Locomotives Ltd website. Please use the link below (Pics 133 to 139 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 1995072482

PW

[34053]

Restoration work on the Boiler of '257 Squadron' continues to make steady progress at the Teesside Workshop of Adam Dalgleish. Some photos have been added to the Southern Locomotives Ltd website. Please use the link below (Pics 140 to 146 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 0815685330

PW

[Minty4371]

New tender arrived today. Photo below from Southern Locomotives Facebook page.

[34053]

Great News! Thank you Robert. We can now get on with all the work on the Tender, as well as on the Locomotive.

PW

[Spitfire]

New tender arrived today.

That is some piece of kit in its own right - you don't 'see' the tender as much of a thing when the loco is pulling it - but when you see that type of photo it makes you realise just what a beast a large tender actually is ...

[34053]

I am pleased to confirm that the new Tender Tank arrived at Herston Works, from Teesside, on 5th December. It was a rather tricky operation to offload, manoeuvre into the Works and position onto the New Frames. However, it was all completed successfully and some photos have been posted on the Southern Locomotives Ltd website. Please use the link below (Pics 147 to 164 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 4251112594

PW

[Minty4371]

Thank you for the update .

[Dougs]

This really makes me want to get on with my loco build just way too busy not touched any loco's for two months I am getting proper withdrawal symptoms
Great work all at southern locomotives