The engineering team’s recent work has centred around progress on the new tender tank. We have also been working through the list of small but important jobs to be completed on 499’s chassis.
It seems only yesterday that we finished the new floor on tender No. 3223. Progress has been brisk in the new year. Not only have we completed the internal lattice of framework for the tank but the sheet steel is fitted along the left (driver’s) side and the front of the coal space.
What a difference a day (and a sheet of steel) makes. The cutout for the coal space certainly makes it look more like an S15 tender!
Pat opening out some of the many rivet holes on the side sheets. These will be flush riveted to the internal framework of the tank.
On the loco the weigh shaft for the reverser has been completed.
Jamie and the team have fitted the train pipe along the length of the loco chassis, with just the plumbing up to the vacuum ejector in the cab still to come.
Progress, large and small, with a new vacuum dummy plug machined by Liam and ready for fitting.
As the weather and daylight improves the team are looking forward to bringing out the riveting equipment in coming weeks to crack on with the tender tank. Doubtless, we will be complaining about the heat before too long!