Monday 24th January 2022

Yet another busy week at the workface to report.

Last Tuesday another working party took place at Bury and 5643’s valves were duly delivered by Keith to the FRT shed on Wednesday morning. It is expected that these will be delivered to Tyseley shortly for new rings to be fitted once the re-bore of the valve liners has taken place at the end of the month.

John Dixon repairing the roof of GER 5John Dixon has been undertaking final repairs to the roof of GER Royal Saloon No. 5.

Down below, Tim has been filling and sanding the old, recently plugged, screw holes in the wooden side canvas retaining strips.

Phil Bell drilling new screw holes in the wooden roof canvas retaining stripsMeanwhile Phil has been busy drilling more screw holes in them!

John Davis cleaning paint off the gas lamp housingsJohn Davis has been cleaning paint off the gas lamp housings.

Roger cleaning the gas lamp housing rimsRoger has been cleaning the gas lamp housing rims.

The stripped roof of GER No. 5 ready for paintingThe roof is now totally stripped and a coat of primer is planned over the coming week.

Keith cleaning inside Wootton Hall's tender tankThe damp inside Wootton Hall’s tender tank has dissipated now that it is situated inside the heated shed. Keith has been cleaning out the inside of the tank in preparation for welding repairs.

The bottom angle on Wootton Hall's tender tank receiving attentionOn the outside of the tank. Tim has been cleaning corrosion on the bottom angle of the tank and filling and sanding where necessary.

One of Caliban's brake blocks which will need machiningFinally, Ade has been assembling the brake gear on Caliban and has found that the brake blocks now need machining to give a good fit following the tyre turning that took place many years ago.