Achilles Report No53: Boiler Cladding On!...

Hi everyone. The loco is now coming on very well. With the smokebox complete and the slide-bar hangers painted, the engine was ready to have her boiler cladding refitted. However, before this could take place, I had to lag the boiler. The brand new insulation was cut to size and then wrapped around the boiler before being fastened with aluminium tape. Then, with a little tenderness, the main section of boiler cladding was refitted. Once in place, the first polished brass boiler band was fitted to hold the cladding secure. It was then time to cut the second part of the lagging to shape and fit it...

"Boiler Lagged & Ready For Cladding"

The locomotive then had her second section of repainted boiler cladding fitted, along with her other three boiler bands. The repainted (now black) firebox cowling was then refitted along with the manifold, including brand new whistle valve. The engine's safety valves and dome cover were then also refitted before she made her way outside for a 'progress snap' or two. I am very pleased with the colour of the engine now: I love the blue. The new livery is much lighter than the old blue, and with the majority of her old dents removed and no breaks in the paint, the engine looks lovely. The grey colour of the smokebox also seems to contrast nicely with the brass and the matt black livery of the frames. The running boards, when they are refitted, should also set it off a treat...

After these shots were taken, the engine was taken back into the workshop and now awaits the final work to return her to steam. I have since made progress on refitting the valve gear and the L/H side coupling rods, connecting rod, expansion links and trunnion bearings are all back on. The new bearings on the trunnion pins will require some good old fashioned running in as they are still quite tight, but no more so than a good 'running fit'. When both sides of the valve gear are refitted (probably in a week or two), all I need to do is refit the running boards and then put the tanks back on. There is only then an hour or so of 'piping up' to do before the engine is ready to steam. We are planning a resteam on Friday May 9th...will she make it?...we'll see! Cheers guys, Sam...