The last month of the year is upon us and before Christmas hits us here’s some of the
- Barry has started fettling the cylinder block bolts and well over half are now fitted to the L/H block (didn’t expect that until Jan/Feb).
- Both buffer beam gussets riveted
- Both curved angles for the sections of running plate which sit in front of the blocks have been riveted riveted on…..4 rivets on each to the buffer beam and 6 on each to the frames. The remaining angle rivets cannot go in until the front platform is fitted.
We can see serious progress being made over the next few months, but we do need to take some ‘housekeeping time’ to build access to the new mess room!
The big news for any of you not aware is that boiler 799 which will be on 499 will enter MHR boiler shop mid January. The lift will be done by road crane and ULS are sponsoring that move. Negotiations are currently underway for paid work to this boiler, once concluded the project to return 499 to steam will take a massive jump forward.
Lastly, we have built a strong relationship with Chris Ellick, new MHR Head of Engineering, who is committed to making facilities available once we begin work on the tender.
And all this is before we plan for centenary celebrations in 2020; 499 will be 100 in April, 506 in October.