Click here for Easter 1998 report
Click here for February 1999 report
Click here for March 1999 report
Click here for April 1999 report
Click here for May 1999 report
Click here for July (early) 1999 report
Autumn 1997
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The tender and engine are separate
issues. The engine was taken into the Sheffield Park works during September for
the motion (internal Stephenson) to be dropped. The overall opinion was that
the condition of it was good. The tender meanwhile, as can be viewed from the
picture here has been receiving attention too. Volunteers (including some of
our Society members have cut the rivets that secure the tank from the chassis,
to enable it to be lifted. Most if not all of this will need to be renewed. The
frames of the tender have meanwhile been the subject of needle gun treatment
and painting.
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During the early
part of 1998 the chassis was taken into the works at Sheffield Park for
inspection. The motion is in very good condition and was removed for cleaning
and safe storage. The lubrication pipework was also removed. The boiler has had
an inspect, and has been found to be in very good condition. it is without its
tubes, but the soundness of the boiler shell itself is reassuring. The boiler
stands just outside the works, and as you can see from the picture has been
receiving attention of late, to keep it in good condition. the cab (which is
that standing in front of the boiler, has also had the treatment, with a clean
up an paint job. As mentioned before, it is hoped to have the O1 running within
a "reasonable" time span, but realistically this is only going to be
achieved if it goes into the works for full time attention. Volunteers are
doing this and that to help though. The relatively good condition of the
engine, and the forthcoming 100 years anniversary of the SE&CR in 1999 are
likely to act as a suitable spur to get on with the job though, so I am
informed. Watch this space!
February
1999
A lot has happened
since the last report that was published. The engine has acquired new impetus
to its restoration at the Bluebell with permanent workshop staff being assigned
to the job, to assist volunteers, with the target of restoration in time to
celebrate the South East and Chatham Railway; centenary a very realistic
possibility. Take a look at this shot of the frames which are now cleaned,
de-rusted and painted in SECR maroon.
The frames are, as you can see stripped just about bare. Much is going on
with the relevant pieces. The piston and rods have been extracted from the
cylinders, both of which you can see here. The actual condition is not that bad
Not all the news is good I'm afraid. When the engine was bought from Ashford
works way back in 1963 the connecting rods were cut as a precursor to a trip to
the scrap yard. When Mr Esmond Lewis-Evans stepped in to save the engine,
they were welded up again. This was born out recently when the rods were ultra
sonically tested. One rod showed up very slight cracking at the end where the
"eye" of the rod is attached to the main shank. In this day and age,
that's enough to condemn it. Another will have to be cast and machined.
That isn't all, take a look at this picture. What you are
looking at is the journal of the leading drive axle. Its pitting is pretty bad.
The wheelsets have now been dispatched to Swindon for turning. This one though
may or may not skim down. The journal may have to be built up before it can be
turned to a sensible (i.e.: in tolerance) size.
The other wheelsets seem OK, and passed their ultra sonic tests. You can see
them here all in a line. The shot to the right shows the eccentrics on the
middle set that control the inside Stephenson valve arrangement. These are in
good condition give or take a bit of surface rust. As you can see they have
been needle gunned, tested and received their first coats of paint.
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Other preparation work involves other removed items. The final two
pictures show the axle boxes which will get the white metal and machining work
to allow the frames to be rewheeled when the wheel sets return from Swindon,
and the cab which is in excellent shape requiring, when the time comes, just
fitting and the painters.
There is nothing to report as regards the boiler, which is stripped out, but
in super condition. This requires building up to a complete whole. No major
problems are anticipated in this area,... we'll see!
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March 1999
Restoration carries on apace as the workshop team try to make
the target of the centennial celebrations of the South East and Chatham Railway
that will take place in July 1999. At the moment (March 1999) the engine is on
schedule, but it would only take one substantial snag to blow apart the engines
chances of making it to the show. Hopefully this wont happen of course. The
pictures show the current state of play. The wheels sets are back from Swindon
and are sporting their shiny tyres and journals. When the axles boxes have been
finished off the engine can be rewheeled. The boiler is getting a lot of
attention and is currently being retubed. The plan is to have the boiler in
place within a month. Good luck on that one lads!. The other big focus of
activity is the tender. As you can see the tender frames are on jacks whilst
the tender tank gets the treatment. Its on its side as you look at it. It is
having its "bad bits" cut out, so that fresh steel can be grafted in
as necessary. So far so good!
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April 1999
With the Centenary deadline getting ever closer, the workshop at Sheffield
Park has gone into overdrive to get the O1 ready in time. Some ground has been
covered in the 6 weeks or so since the last update. The following pictures tell
the story. In the workshop, the boiler has been retubed and fitted to the
frames
Of course prior to the fitting of the boiler, and its hydraulic testing came
the tube refitting. Funny to think that this was a serious major obstacle to a
preservation railway in earlier days, and now its almost routine.
The major work on the engine is matched by the efforts on the tender. The
previous report showed the tank being cut down. Now the plate is in the works,
being prepared and made ready to fit
Finally take a look at some of the small bits and pieces of jobs that are
vital to the overall appearance, and quality of job. The often appear to be
small jobs, but can in reality turn out to be as time consuming as the major
jobs. They also tend to demand a wide range of skills. The 2 examples shown
here certainly do!
Extra pictures - April 28th
To keep you bang up to date, and to show how time and effort is really being
put into the O1 to get it ready on time, these pictures show the current focus
of activity, namely the preparation of the boiler now its past its tests, and
the construction of the tender tank. The boiler is being lagged so the cladding
can be fitted, and then the painters let loose to get the complex Wainwright
SECR livery on. the tank meanwhile is being put together in the works, over the
nearside road. the MIG welder is the ideal tool for this task (that's the red
object in the middle of the tank)
May 1999
 With
the deadline for completion fast approaching, No.65 is looking everyday, more
and more like an engine and tender. the tank for the tender is all but
complete, having been welded together, and the tender frames stand ready. the
engine mean while has be receiving various different types of attention. The
last rod to go on the motion is still missing as it has not quite yet been
retrieved from machining in Manchester. Fitting it however is not an onerous
task. The boiler however has been lagged and clad. No mean feat. this means
that the painters can get into action here having already done a splendid job
on the maroon frames and with the intricate wainwright style lining out on the
wheels. Take a look at the shots here and you will also see that the cab has
made it into position, giving the feel the the end is in sight. Much was done
to improve the condition of the cab, notably the renewal of its roof sheeting.
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The next steps will be to fit the tank of the tender in place,
and to fit the controls of engine onto the backhead. There's plenty of pipework
to go on although lubrication reservoirs are fitted to the sides of the
smokebox support, and positively gleam. naturally there's still plenty for the
painters to go at, in fact they are only now really starting to get into their
stride in terms of the finishing process.
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July
1999
Its a race to the finishing line now, and progress is fast. A browse round
the gallery for the early July collection shows that the engine and tender look
like an engine and tender! Paint has been applied in numerous layers as the
distinctive SECR Wainwright scheme appears once again. It looks wonderful I can
tell you. The tender has been welded up and couple up to the engine, mainly to
see that it will still do that initially!!, but thereafter this will become a
common sight of course. The deadline is now under a month away, so take a look
at the pictures here, and make sure you get to the Bluebell for the SECR
centennial.
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