Tyseley: The Pipes, The Pipes Are Calling...

"From glen to glen, and down the mountain"...no, that's enough of that actually! Today, having briefly escaped from the decorating, I was over at the former 84E of Tyseley Locomotive Works. Upon arrival, I was glad to find the two roller shutter doors on four and five roads slightly open, giving a good bit more light. I was today tasked with another cleaning job, getting "Clun" ready for her next appearance on the Bath Christmas Market special on December 1st. The mechanical lubricator on the front drivers side of the engine has quite a lot of copper pipework which, when cleaned up, looks a real treat. So today, armed with Autosol and plenty of clean rags, I set to work gently cleaning up the pipes. Currently retired Hall Class No4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" was giving "Clun" a bit of a stare out from her resting place...

The various pipes which stem from the lubricator feed the cylinders, valves and regulator. The 'original' Castles carried the five-glass hydrostatic, which "Defiant" still carries. 7029 & 5043, being later double-chimney versions, carry the mechanical alternative. As you can imagine, you have to be very careful cleaning these pipes. They are fairly strong but any damage could result in a leak, which may lead to a loss of oil to crucial components. On the main line at the speeds we run at, this could be catastrophic so the words "be careful" are forever etched on the mind during jobs like this! Though a bit fiddly, the pipes came up well...

I always feel that it's these little touches that give the 84E engines their reputation. Some have commented that the engines were never this clean in their working lives. This is probably quite true, but these days we have more time to look after them. The Tyseley fleet doesn't spend week after week on the road, meaning that we have time in between to keep them sparkling. Later in the day, the final result...

My last job today, as with any brass or copper polishing, was to apply a thin coating of Vaseline to prevent tarnish. I don't particularly like this job as the Vaseline itself does dull the finish slightly, although I'd rather that than see it all bright green with condensation marks next week! Roll on our December 1st outing with the gleaming Castle. Let's hope the valleys aren't hushed and white with snow!...