The past few weeks have been a hive of activity for us and the Watercress Line with the start of the main season and our Spring Steam Gala. The Ropley workshop and ULS engineering teams have been getting stuck in with various jobs on 506 and progressing 499.
499
As you will be aware, we have recently announced the boiler for 499 will require a new smokebox tube plate. Here is one of the extensive cracks that we discovered when we removed the tube plate from the barrel ring. It extends the length the chalk line almost the full height of this photo with a similar crack on the other side.
Along with our recent decision to replace the copper half sides in the firebox, a new tube plate will add further expenditure to the boiler overhaul. We have not yet fully priced the steel and labour required. However, we expect to spend a minimum of £10,000 on the tube plate alone.
Any donations, no matter how small, to help us will be greatly appreciated by our team. The boiler forms the most vital part of our plans to have 499 operating with 506. The team need to be able to progress it to completion as quickly as possible.
The Severn Valley Railway team have welded the new copper half sides in place on 499’s boiler at Bridgnorth. They will soon be shipping it back to Ropley so we can complete the outstanding work including the new tube plate. Photo Mark Drinkwater.
506
Among all this we haven’t forgotten our other all-important boiler.
506’s boiler is now in Ropley boiler shop and the staff have removed about 50 stays. To ensure these repairs see the engine through the next four years of its ticket, we are remediating both sides in the vicinity of the typical ‘breaking zone’.
The Ropley workshop team are also taking this opportunity to lift 506 from its driving wheels. This is to allow for some attention to the axle box clearances. The engine has seen extensive use over the last six years, taking the majority of ‘Alresford’ services. It is therefore important we keep on top of her mechanical condition. A stitch in time saves nine, as they say!
Tender No. 3223 will soon be ready for turning so that we can fit the rest of the steel side sheets. Over half the rivets required on the first side are already fitted. Here we see volunteer Jack having his first go training on a rivet gun.
We were thrilled that our friends at the Swanage Railway loaned the Watercress line their T3 No. 563 for our Spring Steam Gala. Our team have been able to examine the unique LSWR lamp brackets and discs. The team will need to reproduce these on 499. We already have a full set of lamps to mount on them.
While we are making excellent progress, we are relying on your support to get us over the line. If you can donate to our tube plate appeal please do so here.