After five years of open air work, 6029 now resides undercover for what we are now calling the fit out stage. The cab has been lowered into position and as a result, we can now start the fit out the countless small bore pipes that make up the loco's control systems. This includes the power reverser, the brake system and the support systems for electrical power and even steam to brew the tea. The timber floor for the cab has been made and fitted by Paul Nowland, Jack Barker and Alan Gardener and the crew took great delight in actually standing at the correct footplate height for once. The fit out of the seats and the injector control valves that protrude through the floor will be next.
At the opposite end of the boiler, the smoke box is stating to fill up with the pipes that connect to the air compressor and the blower. Both of these components are fed with steam from the superheater header which itself is also receiving some final attention with throttle cam and valves soon to be refitted. Once that is done, the control linkage that runs from the header back to the drivers cab will be fitted.
6029 is fitted with what is called a front end throttle. Put simply the control of steam from the boiler takes place at the front in the smoke box and is controlled by the driver back at the cab end via a system of levers and rods. It was a much more efficient system when compared to the more traditional system inside the boilers dome.
For a few years now we have been completing the rebuild of many smaller components only to put them into storage awaiting final fitment. Now that the locomotive is under cover, theses components can be fitted. Ian delivered the first of the four mechanical lubricators (right hand leading) and with the help of a few strong arms it was lifted into place. The lubrication feed pipes are now being cleaned out one by one and with some head scratching, the stamped identification acronyms are actually starting to make sense.
The move into the shed however, does not come without some pain, as the team headed by John and Kyle started moving over the many tools, benches and storage cupboards. Having said that, Saturdays weather was very wet and generally unpleasant but being indoors at long last meant a happy and dry team could continue to work in comfort.
Alan Gardner
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The society operates rail tours out of Canberra with our heritage fleet of steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock every few weeks.
To travel in style on any of our tours, or to learn more about our collection and operations, go to trains.org.au
To travel in style on any of our tours, or to learn more about our collection and operations, go to trains.org.au
Next Workday
Fundraising Appeal
$70,000 is the target we need to reach, before we can fund all the materials and services we need to complete the project. The next big ticket items on our shopping list will likely be piston and valve ringsand a new stoker trough... Don't forget about nuts, bolts and other sundry items that we buy almost every week to keep the project moving.
If you can spare a few bucks, please help us reach the target by clicking on this button.
If money is tight, why not come down and get your hands dirty instead. And remember, the more help we get, the sooner the Garratt will again grace the rails, for the enjoyment of old and young alike.
Finally I can announce that people who donate over $500 in total to Project6029, will qualify for a cab ride once 6029 is back in service. What an incentive! Anyone can qualify for this bonus, and those that have already donated are in the running. Just donate a total of $500 or more and you are in the queue...
How can you help 6029 get back on the rails?