Battle of Britain class 92 Squadron - 34081
Discussion
Thought I'd start a thread on this engine which is currently undergoing overhaul at the Nene Valley Railway (Peterborough). Having been rescued from Dai Woodham's yard in wales in the 1970s it was slowly overhauled for the first time over a period of 23 years. Following a successful 10 year steaming at various heritage railways its boiler ticket ran out 5 years ago and thus it became necessary to carry out another overhaul. I have been working on this engine as a volunteer along with up to 20 others (mainly retired folk).
Having spent much of the last few years cleaning grease, soot and rust from almost every part of the engine we're now reaching some rather more interesting activities. Here's a taster of the workshop we use and the frames in restored condition.
The boiler has been totally overhauled (£180,000) and awaits fitting. We hope to fit the driving wheels next week, after which we hope to make significant progress on the rebuild. I'll add more as we have something to show.
Having spent much of the last few years cleaning grease, soot and rust from almost every part of the engine we're now reaching some rather more interesting activities. Here's a taster of the workshop we use and the frames in restored condition.
The boiler has been totally overhauled (£180,000) and awaits fitting. We hope to fit the driving wheels next week, after which we hope to make significant progress on the rebuild. I'll add more as we have something to show.
Here's a few more shots. Firstly the oil bath with its complex chains and rods which Mr Bulleid developed :
It holds a modest 40 gallons of oil, or at least should do so. Not the cheapest oil change!
Much of the sheet metal work has been fabricated by volunteers and last week we trial fitted the smokebox door, frame and floor. The door was cast but the rest made by our own guys.
I've been working on the tender for the last few weeks. Due to various additions and the replacement of damaged sections, the sides had a somewhat furrowed finished so it has been necessary to use body filler to remove the worst. Its probably the biggest area I've had to fill and sand. Give me a car any day!
It holds a modest 40 gallons of oil, or at least should do so. Not the cheapest oil change!
Much of the sheet metal work has been fabricated by volunteers and last week we trial fitted the smokebox door, frame and floor. The door was cast but the rest made by our own guys.
I've been working on the tender for the last few weeks. Due to various additions and the replacement of damaged sections, the sides had a somewhat furrowed finished so it has been necessary to use body filler to remove the worst. Its probably the biggest area I've had to fill and sand. Give me a car any day!
Quite a milestone for us yesterday as we rewheeled the engine with its driving wheels. Here's a speeded up version of the 8 or so hours it took. Due to a slight misalignment of the frames relative to the track a small amount of damage was caused to a side plate. This resulted in the wheels being removed and the damage repaired before the wheels were replaced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWyPxzBJf0A&fe...
The boiler refit is next on the list.
Roger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWyPxzBJf0A&fe...
The boiler refit is next on the list.
Roger
Edited by Roget on Thursday 9th October 20:30
Its plumbing thats hanging down - they're copper pipes that feed oil to almost everything that moves. These have been a nightmare to remove, clean and blow through, and get back into their respective positions.
The axles and other internal areas are painted red. The sump is part of Bulleid's valve gear and holds 40 gallons of very expensive oil, at least it should. When we dismantled the engine we wondered what we could put 40 gallons of old oil into. After much trepidation we removed the sump plug having tapped around the sump and got largely hollow noises. All that came out was a couple of dollops of very congealed oil!
Due to the costs of mainline running and the strain it imposes on the loco, our society (Battle of Britain Locomotive Society) has decided to run on Heritage lines only. After completion of the overhaul (late 2015 or early 2016) we are contracted to run on the Nene Valley Railway for the first five years of its operation.
From this point on we hope to make good progress as many of the parts required have been fabricated off-site and await fitting - smokebox, smokebox door, cab, and ashpan.
Roger
The axles and other internal areas are painted red. The sump is part of Bulleid's valve gear and holds 40 gallons of very expensive oil, at least it should. When we dismantled the engine we wondered what we could put 40 gallons of old oil into. After much trepidation we removed the sump plug having tapped around the sump and got largely hollow noises. All that came out was a couple of dollops of very congealed oil!
Due to the costs of mainline running and the strain it imposes on the loco, our society (Battle of Britain Locomotive Society) has decided to run on Heritage lines only. After completion of the overhaul (late 2015 or early 2016) we are contracted to run on the Nene Valley Railway for the first five years of its operation.
From this point on we hope to make good progress as many of the parts required have been fabricated off-site and await fitting - smokebox, smokebox door, cab, and ashpan.
Roger
Edited by Roget on Thursday 9th October 23:58
We've been beavering away on the frames of 92 Squadron, but the cold and damp winter have stopped further painting. However, here's a short video of the fitting of the left side connecting rod today. Note the use of the small spanner towards the end of the clip.;)
http://youtu.be/W7FOmv81Kdc
Roger
http://youtu.be/W7FOmv81Kdc
Roger
With the progress made on the chassis it was time for the boiler to be moved into the workshop for a few minor welding jobs and a trial fit of the newly fabricated ashpan - built from scratch by volunteers. The boiler, despite its rusty appearance, cost £180,00 to be overhauled. This video clip shows the chassis being moved out of the workshop and the boiler being moved in. I'm pleased to say that the connecting rods I spent so long cleaning appear nice and shiny in the video! 
The boiler will be shot blasted and painted with a special paint (£1000 worth in total).
http://youtu.be/aPYu5JuANDw
Roger
The boiler will be shot blasted and painted with a special paint (£1000 worth in total).
http://youtu.be/aPYu5JuANDw
Roger
Roget said:
"Is the boiler rusty simply because it wasn't painted or has it been weathered?"
Its been in the open for three years - hence the rust. We're making plans to shot blast it in the near future and then apply the paint.
Roger
It sounds like it's been weathered.Its been in the open for three years - hence the rust. We're making plans to shot blast it in the near future and then apply the paint.
Roger
The best way to de-stress worked steel is to stick it outside for a few years and let mother nature take over.
It's seldom done now as you have a lot of money tied up in rusty lumps but you end up with terrific steel.
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