Sunny Sunday at Shackerstone...

Hi guys. Another quiet day at Shackerstone was enjoyed today. The railway is still closed for a few more weeks as the winter season draws to a slow end and so no trains were running. However, in the steam shed yard, two diesel engines were fired up today. Richard fired up his Drewry Class 04, and I fired up the trusty little Class 02. The latter's Rolls-Royce engine fired up easily on this very chilly day: much to my surprise. The two shunters were required in order to help with some rejigging of the rail vehicles currently in & around the shed. The shunts were carefully planned so as to keep "Sir Gomer" at the centre of everyone's attention. With the lifting of the Peckett and the removal of her damaged axle now becoming increasingly more imminent, she needs to move to a secure location further down the shed where she will not be bothered by gala engines when they arrive. I had the opportunity to drive both the 02 & the 04 today, with the latter being a nice change from diesel electric examples such as the 02. Underneath "Sir Gomer", Danny & Joe were trying their best to refit the damaged brass (soaked in oil) prior to moving the Peckett forward slightly. In the image below we can see the journal, which is in this case the axle. The cuts have been caused by the brass and the cuts in the brass have been caused by the axle and vice versa. It is a very vicious circle. As can be seen, the damage is quite severe and the axle will of course be turned and machined to remove it...

"Left-Leading Journal Showing Damage"

Eventually the brass made it back into its proper resting place and the gradual task of lowering the engine began. Groans and creeks were abundant as the old Peckett slowly settled back onto her springs, having had most of her height dropped. The next task is, believe it or not, to jack the engine up again slightly so as to remove axle weight across her wheelbase and then remove all of the springs as well as packing the boxes. The engine can then be moved very carefully the few yards to her planned resting place further down the shed. This will then allow her to be jacked up and her wheels removed. Cheers guys, Sam...