Work continued on and around the leading engine unit in preparation of lowering the tank into position. The main steam pipe from the boiler cradle to the steam cylinders was fitted with surprising ease. This included lapping of the two steam tight lens rings and fitting 12x 7/8” BSW bolts. While in this area the opportunity was taken to fit the reverser reach rod with its patented designed Beyer Peacock universal joints. Ian continued to fit and test the lube lines for the right hand leading lubricator.
Malcolm and his daughter had a go at cleaning out the residual mess of grease and grime from where the stoker trough was once fitted. It seems that the grease points that are situated outside of this area were never checked to see if the lines were actually delivering the grease where it was designed to go. The end result was years of congealed grease mixed with coal dust forming great lumps of crud. They also had a go at applying some long over due grey primer to the top deck above the hind water tank.
David continued with the rebuild of the crinoline bands that will support the fitting of the boiler cladding sheet metal. The boiler now sports several horizontal string lines that will help align the boiler bands correctly. The myriad of counter sunk screws that hold all of the bands in place have had to be rebuilt as many of the tapped holes had rusted out. As the bands are only ¼” thick a new nut has been welded into place under each side to make up for the poor thread.
During recent weeks, Alan has also been working to remove the life expired electrical cables from their conduits all over the loco. The insulation has hardened from years of exposure to the heat of a steam engine, and likely also from the temperature extremes from years of outside storage in Canberra. As such, all the wiring on the loco will be replaced, in some cases with new technology to help us work safely into the future. You can see from some of the pictures just how bad some of the wiring is.
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?