At the Midland work has continued on the Gloucester unit since our last update. Wedge shaped timber has been fitted above the luggage rack line. These will eventually support the ceiling. Similarly two pieces where fitted above the 2nd mans window in the cab. These where removed to drill the false rivets in the cab roof.
Back at Llangollen
The Cravens team decamped into the Wickham during the weekend for a short while. They replaced a further defective window, and added some first class stickers to the windows previously replaced after they'd been broken by stone throwers.
Back in the Cravens, more insulation has been fitted ready to be sealed in by the wall paneling. Small metal brackets have also been fitted in the rear compartment, ready for timber framing to be fastened to. Visually the work will look to have slowed down, but the team are busy rebuilding all of the timber framework for the back wall ready for the wall paneling to attach to. This was all destroyed during the asbestos strip.
After a few shake down turns out solo, the 108 was stood down for the weekend to receive some remedial attention. The compressor on 51933 that was chuffing was investigated. It turned out the head gasket had gone in two places, a new gasket was duly produced. Some valve adjustment also took place as the delivery valve on one cylinder was hardly opening, which might have been the cause of the gasket blowing.
The no2 stop solenoid needed adjustment to shut down from full rpm, what should be an easy job turned into something a bit more. A new woodruff key was located on another pump and duly fitted to allow it to be adjusted properly. A couple of EP valves where also changed and the unit is generally holding and making air much better than it was.
The 104 has been out on a driver experience turn, while the 108 covered a passenger diagram last weekend. They are pictured here at Pentrefelin ground frame in a move to get the sets in the correct order on the depot.
The 104 has then been out on a further passenger turn this weekend.
Due to a shortage of train crew on Saturday, the 108 was pressed into service on the class 47 diagram. It also ran the booked diagram on Sunday.
An "A" exam on the class 104 was tackled on Saturday. As usual some of the brakes needed slight adjustment, and a broken battery terminal added to the fun.
The fuel pump governor on an engine on 50454 decided it didn't want to play, and this was replaced.
A speedo issue on 51933 was investigated and fixed. This required the compensator mechanism to be replaced. An air leak on first gear was also rectified, and wiper blades replaced.
First class in 56223 has received new curtains, which give a nice lift to the surroundings.
The broken windows in the 109 have now been replaced, second time lucky!
Work has also been ongoing in the Cravens, the insulation is nearly finished, and more wood work has been added ready for the wall panels.
At Llangollen this week the "new" 108 launched into passenger service a few days ahead of what we had planned. A steam locomotive failed on Wednesday after the first trip, and we ran the "new" 108 for the last two round trips. The unit performed relatively fault free, with only a couple of minor arisings to deal with.
It also ran it's booked diagram on the weekend.
At the Midland work has continued on the Gloucester to finish the false rivets, this is a long task which involves drilling out all of the holes, before adding the rivets.
More items of woodwork where also fitted in the luggage rack area.
