The restoration of 31463 continues even in this heat. Since our last update, the engine room has received its second coat of gloss. ‘A’ side engine room door has been needle gunned as can be seen in the photo the top half is in gloss with the lower in primer, this is because we have found a couple of holes that need attention.
‘B’ side radiator grill has had the old bolt holes welded up, the primer paint dried so quickly on the welds that the whole grill got a coat of undercoat and the middle strip was also painted in undercoat.
31463 has been out enjoying the sun and with easy access to no. 1 nose end the opportunity was taken to clean this out, needle gun and primer. Compared to our initial thoughts this area isn’t too bad, with only the bottom angle strip that holds the nose cover, wanting replacing and the bottom section of the cover needing attention.
We have spent the last week dealing with many of those little irritating things which often turn into quite time consuming endeavours.
One of the brake blocks has been ‘flanging’ due to a badly worn bush in the brake hanger. Simple in theory to remove, but required much heat and grunt to remove the parts. A new bush was turned and fitted and now the block sits against the wheel in a much more satisfactory position. More will require the same treatment in the near future.
Engine room lighting has received much attention to cleaning the lenses, producing missing reflectors and making new seals to keep the dust out. The difference in light levels is amazing, greatly aided by the freshly painted engine and walls.
Jobs on the air system have included stripping and servicing the no2 end horns so these now work again, another simple task in theory but a nightmare trying to undo all the pipe fittings. The in-line air filters were also treated to new filter material. A straight air brake controller has been serviced and replaced in the no2 end cab as its original was rather leaky in its mid positions. Its replacement is working a treat.
Various pipe brackets have been refitted in the engine room, there are only a few remaining to be refitted now.
In the non-clean clean-air compartment, much effort has been put into turning it back into a clean air compartment. Much oily sludge has been removed from under the compressors and exhausters prior to degreasing. An insane amount of old bolts, pipe fittings and other debris have been removed and this area is starting to look a lot nicer. A broken exhauster oil drain pipe has also now been repaired.
On the locos exterior, missing lamp bracket bolts have been fitted after re-tapping the threads, spring washers fitted where missing to cab footsteps and the very first bit of its new livery was applied to the inside of one of the radiator grilles.
Maybe not exciting news, but we are happy with the progress.
