Embedded Files
The boiler inspection on 14th November 2023 by Dave Wothers revealed eight broken stays and areas of bad corrosion in the fire box area. The decision to undertake a major rebuild was taken !
Photo key : (L) left; (M) middle; (R) right
Most recent work at top :
September / October 2025 : Headstock taken up to Cast Iron Welding Services in Coalville near Leicester on 7th October for specialist crack repair. Fascinating process using high temperatures which are maintained for long periods. Foundation ring being fitted to inverted firebox. Smoke box fitting .
August 2025 - Dave Wothers inspected work so far. All welds had been scan tested.
30th July : Fitting the new smoke box
28th July ; Drilling of barrel seam. Lots of oil, sweat and swarf !
Temporary 16mm bolts/nuts fitted as work proceeds.
23rd July : Welding of barrel completed and testing of welds.
24th July : Drilling of barrel for tube plate started using curved plate piece.
23rd July : ready for welding
3rd June 2025 : Tube plate fitted and aligned with 3 No stays
26th May 2025 : Drilling new barrel piece and bolting into position with a 3mm slot for welding by Ollie.
New & old foundation rings
16th May 2025
Cliff & Richard collected new firebox, smoke box and foundation ring etc from Mendip Steam after a tour of Somerset !
Work has started in fitting and setting out the pieces !
Setting up mag drill
< ^ New tube plate checked for size
Barrel piece line up in position >
January 2025 : Components gathered and loaded for transporting to Mendip Steam. Simon & Richard drove to Mendip Steam just outside Shepton Mallet on Saturday 11th January. It was decided with Richard of Mendip Steam that the foundation ring was not satisfactory for reuse so it was decided to replace this. Mendip will fabricate all items apart from the firebox for collection in 6/8 weeks. The firebox itself will be longer. Meanwhile other parts cleaned up !
November / December 2024 : Ollie has cut out sections and welded in bracing pieces.
Below : September/ October 2024 - stays & tie bars removed
Below : 3rd July 2024 - [L] Firebox removed from outer casing; [R] Firebox removed
Above : 3rd July 2024 Foundation ring being removed
Below : 2nd July 2024 - [L] Ollie cutting out rivets; [M] tube plate removed; [R] internal of barrel with tie rods
Below : 24th June 2024 - Underside of headstock after cleaning and painting. Close up of historic fracture.
Below : May 2024 - Left & centre view of inverted firebox; right - cutting rivet heads on foundation ring
Below : 29th April 2024 - Inverting the roller body using the gantry for the first time. Using the two chain hoists, the body was kept nicely under control and the turning was a lot quicker and easier than we had first thought.
Above : stamped marking on offside of body
"EF 1682"
Above : Maker's mark a "triangle" and engine number "9099" stamped on front end nearside horn plate. We understand that individual symbol marks were using to identify the man who assembled the roller. The lower plug was used to pressure test the boiler in the factory.
22nd April 2024 - gantry being assembled and erected over the roller body.
Next : It has been decided to fabricate a steel gantry frame to allow the next stage of work (turning engine over) and for later re-assembly. Sizes of gantry being made :
Below : 18th March 2024 Steam chest cleaned; top of boiler & both sides of engine. Cleaned with needle gun, circular wire brushes on angle grinders and diesel to protect.
Below : 11th March 2024 Roller body being cleaned up removing many years of grime ! A rather filthy job !
Below : 26th February 2024 : (L) Removed Smoke box top section repostioned temporarily (M) Removed repair plate (dating from Eddison timees) with bracket on nearside.
Below : (Feb 2024) Refurbished wheel plate, Oiler and side panels (by Simon at home)
Below : Monday 19th February 2024 : Night spent drilling out remaining large bolts to headstock.
Left : What remains of top section of smoke box. (see above) Mid/right : Poor state of headstock casing below repair plates
Below (Sunday 4th Feb 2024) : A good weekend's work with what remains of the roller !
Temporary steel frame made by William M and bolted to horn plates to support when turned over. Removed again and to be refitted when cleaning completed
Below (Sunday 4th) : (L) Headstock; (M) top view of headstock; (R) Our Manitou driver Arthur Westlake.
Below : (Sunday 4th) - (L) Headstock lifted clear; (M) remaining lower section of smoke box; (R) front rolls moved back secured in scaffolding.
Below : Sunday 4th February
(L) Smoke box in poor condition so it was decided to cut the top section of this off (M) (as headstock bolts could not be moved); (R) headstock removal.
Below : (L) Rear axle assembly in mid flight ! (R) Support in place for headstock removal; all gears & rear axle removed.
Below : (L) Tender removed ; (M) view of remaining gear assembly & rear axle; (R) rear axle assembly removed.
Below : (L) Flywheel assembly secured on pallet; (M) Gear assembly removed next; (R) tender unbolted and secured to another pallet
Below : Saturday 3rd February 2024 : Start - (L) Canopy off followed by flywheel assembly (M & R)
^ Above : Weekend 3rd & 4th February - the big dismantle ! The team : Simon C; Richard C, Cliff; Arthur (handler driver); William; Adam; Tim & Greg.
Below : Monday 29th January 2024. Rear wheels off - preparations for hire of telehandler on 3rd February.
Below : Monday 18th December 2023 - Start of removal of of the gears & motion, loosening of canopy fixings, much labelling & photographing of removed components.
Below : Monday 27th November 2023 : Steering gear removed. Monday 11th December - offside wheel removed + gear casing
Below : Work started Monday 20th November 2023 :
Start of the removal of all the attached items 27/11/2023.
START of the rebuild 2023/2024
Google Sites
Report abuse