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What this page is aboutFollowing the withdrawal of 847 for overhaul in 1997, it became obvious that despite an obligation from the Bluebell Railway to meet overhaul requirements, the resources of the railway are such that this would not happen with anything like immediate effect. The will is there but not the workshop resource base. Talks confirmed that if we were to make a start on the overhaul, and make significant inroads, then the engine would be an attractive proposition to the railway, the engine being one that the railway would like to have back in active service as much as we would. Some 847 backgroundA check with previous society restoration activities notes will show that the engine was withdrawn as the rules concerning boiler certification were changed. Certificates used to begin with the first steaming, now they start with the first test. In the case of 847, this meant that overnight 5 years were wiped off the boiler certificate! The engine, not surprisingly, is in good mechanical shape (another plus towards getting her into the workshops) but it is true that the boiler had still the original British rail flue tubes in! |
Adrian Pinkess organised a team to make a start on the engine. The first objective was to make the boiler ready for a boiler lift, which would be central to the overhaul. In Newsletter37 can be found the story of the removal of the 167 small tubes and the larger 24 tubes that house the superheater elements. A task requiring enormous amounts of time patience and strength.
With
all the flues out, the next task is the repair of the stays and fastenings in
the firebox. The firebars that hold the fire are out, and the removal of the
brickarch was done as a first task to enable flue removal. Wooden planks have
been put on top of the ashpan to provide a working platform in the firebox. To
get in and out is a job for the active, as it necessitates crawling in and out
through the firehole doorway. Those of a more stout disposition need not apply!
Once in, the copper firebox showed seriously weakened fastening screws. What
you can see in the picture is Ray retapping the hole that was left after the
remains of the old screw were removed. As you will note, there are literally
scores of these to do, all needing the same loving care.
You can see in the picture the cramped conditions. Note too that you can see daylight through the full length of the boiler, through the tubeplates that have had their tubes removed.
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The boiler has reached the point now where it can be separted from the frames. This will release a huge amount of work. The last of the firebox patch screws are just about done, and the concrete has been removed from the firebox, to make boiler removal possible. The real question is, when will there be sufficient room available in the yard area to split the boiler from the engine? It is likely that something will be worked out though as the Bluebell Railway knows that the society can do much useful work on an engine that is needed in traffic, and release workshop personnel by doing so. Watch this space!!
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We should not forget that we have other engines too
of course. 847 has been receiving more attention, and in the picture you can
see Barry Smith pausing from rivet cutting as he and Rod Packham worked on
freeing off the smokebox, so that the boiler can be lifted. Its thought that
when the boiler is lifted back into the Standard Class 4 tank engine in the not
too distant future, the boiler of 847 will be lifted out at the same time, and
probably in fact take the place in the yard vacated by the Standard 4's boiler.
This will enable access to a wide range of jobs on 847, and the 847 team mean
to be ready. Although the boiler has not been in the frames too long, the
rivets put up some strong resistance.
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Just a footnote to add that work on 847 now is pretty much stalled because all that can be done without a boiler lift has been done. The lift will release a lot of work, but it will also further fill the yard with disassembled engines so not surprisingly the railway (Bluebell) are not too keen until there is the likelyhood of a suitable opportunity to get the engine in the works. This then becomes a political matter as different vested interests lobby for their engine to be next. As soon as we can move forward I'll be the first to let you know!!
Progress is pretty much as before now with 847. the arrival of Stowe has further complicated matters. As soon as there is progress, and that means a boiler lift, I'll let you know. For the meantime 847 can still act as a static display, though she has been on the Sheffield Park headshunt (near the road) for some time and therefore away from public view. The news in June 05 though is that 847 has been confirmed as the "next job", and so as soon as 1638 is out of the works (late 2005) 847 will receive full attention.
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A closer look here will reveal the extent of
the work. Ray is tapping out a lower line of screw holes. A completed line just
above head height shows just how many are done and to do. The pegs at an angle
down each side, previously supported the now removed for overhaul, brick arch.
