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News from the Loco Dept - 17 April 2003

Repair of Loco No 3217 Earl of Berkeley

Work continues on the Dukedog's engine frames and mechanical parts, and the boiler is now ready for steam testing. Here is a selection of pictures showing various work done.

One of the big ends has a defective strap which does not close tightly over the rectangular rod end. A number stamped on this part has been traced to a locomotive constructed in Wolverhampton in 1863.

The new big end strap forging, currently being machined.

One of the engine's two steam brake cylinders in place.

New steampipes.

New ashpan.

A view of the frame insides from above, showing the valve gear assembled, but still missing the connecting rods.

View of the valve gear from below, looking towards the cylinders.

One of the inner driving wheel springs. The driving axle has an axlebox in both frame plates each side.

The cab end of the regulator rod, which is subject to corrosion where it passes through the regulator gland box, has been replaced with a new stainless steel part.

The coupling rods have been fitted.

The boiler is ready for a steam test. This will be done with it standing on the boiler trolley currently occupied by 1638's boiler, so this is waiting for a crane job.

More pictures taken during 3217's repair, including the large-size originals of those shown here, can be found here.

There were previous news items about this locomotive's repair on
      12 December 2002
      10 July 2002
      28 March 2002
      21 December 2001
      30 November 2001
      28 September 2001
      4 April 2001
      20 January 2000
      19 May 1999
      23 March 1999
      9 March 1999
      22 May 1998
      24 December 1997.

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