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Locomotives - Operational Locos - Locos under overhaul - Locos on static display - Locos formerly based on the Bluebell Loco Roster - Loco Stock List - Loco Works News - Join the Loco Dept Bluebell Railway Villa TeamFenchurch's BoilerUpdated 14 August: old tubes being removed. Fenchurch was taken out of service in 1988 for mechanical reasons, and although its boiler certificate had less than two years to run, the boiler itself was in good order. In 1975 its copper inner firebox had been condemned, and it had subsequently been fitted with a new steel inner firebox by a local engineering company. Work to be done
The LeaksThe only significant boiler problems which were encountered during its spell of operation in the 1980s were some fairly serious leaks from the firebox side-stays and the palm-stay rivets, and from the foundation ring seams. It is only in recent years that boilers have been steamed before fitting them into the engine frames. In Fenchurch's case, many of the leaks were in places which could not be reached with the engine fully assembled. Some of the stay leaks became sufficiently bad that the right tank was removed to get access to the stays, which were seal welded, as shown in the picture. During dismantling for its repair, when the boiler was unwrapped of its cladding the glass-fibre lagging material was found completely packed with lime-scale, which was firmly stuck to the boiler plates. Needle-guns were used to remove it, revealing the platework little harmed. Work continues...
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