Achilles Report No77: Testing Times...

Today was quite a momentous day for "Achilles" as it was her first visit to her home track at Ryton Pools since 2016. I arrived at the railway a little after 13:00 and was able to drive straight in thanks to Derek opening the gates. Having unloaded my seemingly never ending mountain of kit from the car, "Achilles" was rolled onto one of the 5" gauge steaming bays ready for her hydraulic test. I'd already changed her fittings over during the week and so there was little to do but wait for the test kit to arrive. Here, boiler tester Derek and witness Eric perform the hydraulic test. Derek is checking the firebox for any leaks whilst Eric works the test kit pump to maintain 135psi...

The engine successfully held its one and a half times working pressure for the specified ten minutes and so the testers went off for a cuppa' whilst I got into steam...

It was a typical February day at Ryton: cold and windy. In fact, even with the electric blower whirling away, the wind was trying to blow the fire out of the ash pan! Here, Derek is testing the safety valves with a good fire and the blower on full to ensure that the excess steam can be cleared without exceeding working pressure...

With both tests passed successfully, I steamed out onto the track with "Achilles" for a few victory laps in the biting wind. There is a spot at the foot of the 1 in 70 Ryton bank that is nice for a quick snap so here is the engine simmering there...

The next hour or so was spent in quiet contemplation, chugging around and around as the solitary engine in steam (nothing new there then)...

Overall the engine ran very well although I'm getting increasingly keen to get the pistons out and change the rings. The current ones, I believe, have been in since the engine was completed in 1986 and so they don't owe anyone anything! I just get the impression that she's now a bit weaker than she should be. It still pulls well, but it should do better and the telltale steady blow up the chimney points to steam passing the pistons. Anyway, I digress, it ran very well today...

With a dozen or so laps under her belt to blow the cobwebs away, "Achilles" was returned to the steaming bays to dispose...

There we go then...we're back in business! For the first time since 2016 "Achilles" has a valid hydraulic and steam test certificate and is ready to take on the world. At least we can now go somewhere if we want to. Thanks to Derek, Eric and the rest of the CMES team who helped in sorting "Achilles" out today. Cheers all, Sam...