February 2026 Update

By Pete Maddicks & Tony Howard

Again, I have only been able to get to Bridgnorth a couple of times this month, therefore I would like to thank the boys for keeping me informed on the progress. 

Another good month with more pipe work going on in the cab. At the smokebox end, one of the main steam pipes is in, the second one has been tucked together, it is now back at the workshop for final welding and testing. The chimney has been put on to check for alignment and has been removed to allow the fixing holes to be drilled out. 

Monday 2nd February.
On site: Bob L, Charles L, Dave L, Peter D, Phil H, Steve T, Tony H.  
Ever since the fire hole doors were fitted they did not move as freely as they did before. It was found the backhead cladding was the cause. Dave L and Steve T made special washers. Once, fitted the doors moved a lot more freely.
The drain cock mechanism operating lever was removed and given to the full-time staff for modifications. Work was done on the right-hand downpipe that drains any excess water on the top of the water tank to the ground, such as over filling of the tank, or heavy rain. The front sand box operating system was fitted. Work was also done on the drop grate operating mechanism.

Saturday 7th February.
On site: Dave Mc, Peter M, Simon B, Tony H.
The drain cock operating system lever was modified in the week and refitted in the cab. Again, the front sand boxes operating mechanism was looked at and the two missing bolts were fitted.  The mechanism was still rubbing on the underside of the tank. We came up with a solution to this problem, but we would need screws instead of bolts to fix it.

Monday 9th February
On site: Charles L, Dave L, Dave Mc, Peter D, Phil H, Steve T, Tony H.
We ignored the idea we had the last working day regarding the sand boxes operating mechanism, as we discovered that one of the three rods that make it up had been bent earlier in its life. This rod is now being straightened. The new drain pipe was welded to its flange, and is being painted. Work was done on the infill cladding around the front of the tanks to fill the gap between the tanks and the boiler. The drop grate operating mechanism was worked on, and the last few bolts were fitted to secure the cab roof.

Saturday 14th February.
On site: Charles L, Dave Mc, Kevin S, Simon B, Si B, Tony H.
The box like structure was fitted at the bottom of the front sand box operating lever, in the cab. The new drain pipe was trial fitted.  It fitted correctly.  It was sent for painting. An attempt was made to fit the water gauge. We thought we had figured it out but no, back to the drawing board on this. The side shutters were fitted either side of the cab. More work was done on the drop grate operating mechanism. The steel cab floor was given a good clean and painted ready for the wooden flooring to be re-fitted next week.

Monday 16th February.
On site: Bob L, Dave L, Dave Mc, Phil H, Steve T, Tony H.
Dave L and Steve T fitted the wooden cab floor, along with the Checker plates. This is the final fit. The Chimney and Blower ring was temporarily fitted. The modified overflow was painted and fitted. The left-hand overflow pipe was looked at, and it was decided to extend the pipe so the water would miss the crosshead. Dave and Tony drilled the fixing holes in the new plate that fits on the Blast Pipe that the Spark Arrester is fitted to. Phil and Si fitted the rear right-hand sand box, again a final fit.

Saturday 21st February.
On site: Dave Mc, Kevin S, Simon B, Tony H  
We were going to have this Saturday off, but an email late Friday afternoon to ask if anyone was available to do some jobs that needed doing.  First job was to remove the chimney and blower ring,  and sort out the fixing holes that do not quite line up. Slightly bigger clearance holes were drilled and the problem was sorted.
The studs that the ejector pipe flange fits to, and along with the studs that the blower flange fits to, needed a die nut running down them. These are at the back of the smokebox, and with the regulator box, Superheater Header and pipework they were awkward to get at. On examination, it was found the threads were full of dirt and grease that had set solid. We soaked rags in paraffin and wrapped them around the studs. We found an appropriate die nut and luckily a socket to fit. After the paraffin had done it's job and softened the rubbish in the threads, the die nut was screwed down each stud. The rubber sealing strip was fitted to the rear window frames and the window trial fitted, an excellent result on this task.

Monday 23rd February.
On site: Bob L, Charles L, Dave L, Dave Mc, Steve T, Tony H.
Dave L and Steve carried on fitting the wooden flooring and the checker plates in the cab.  Charles was making more parts for the drop grate operating mechanism. Dave Mc and  Tony sorted out the plates and bracket for the whistles. Two 1/2" Whitworth studs were needed to fit the whistles, the studs were ordered.

Saturday 28th February.
On site: Dave Mc, Kevin S, Peter M, Simon B, Steve M, Tony H.
The two studs that hold the bracket for the whistles were fitted, along with the two circular bases and the bracket itself.
The two tapered plates were delivered, which have been made to straighten the rear left-hand balance pipe. We fitted the tank end without much problem, but the bunker end didn’t fit. We think we have found a solution.
A lot of small pipework has been fitted in the cab, and the left-hand steel main steam pipe has been fitted. As it was the Branch Line weekend and trains were stopping at Eardington, we had a trip there to have Tea/Coffee and cake, and to look at our spare cylinder block that is stored there.