We were pleased to welcome our boiler inspector Jonathan Wheeler back to Steamworks this week to carry out the hydraulic test on Blyth.
With his large double needle test gauge mounted on the top of the dome, pressure was raised to 160psi and was held for the required period whilst we monitored the loco, chatted and drank tea.
With that milestone passed Stuart Hart and I started the process of putting things back where they should be starting with the front half of the grate then the access panel on the bottom of the ash pan, finally it was the turn of the brake rigging, which is just clear of the new lower ash pan.
Wednesday morning saw another significant step forward with the replacement of the side tanks with the help of Graham Murray and his telehandler.
With the telehandler located adjacent to the level crossing, and the crossing gates opened inwards, both our diesel locomotives were in use with LM319 shunting wagon 41 and Mells shunting Blyth in and out of position for the crane work.
The most delicate part of this operation is the final lowering where the feed pipe from the tank needs to go through a tight hole in the foot plate whilst also making sure the fixing holes line up. Stuart can be seen here praying for guidance!
The afternoon saw us again working on the brakes, adjusting the fit and testing both the hand and the steam brake operation, the latter using compressed air supplied by Stuart’s van.
Richard Stone