As before we are sans power spanners, however this will be rectified this week. However due to this we have been cracking on a few little jobs that have been niggling at us. The downside of the running season getting underway is our regular maintenance list gets longer. As we like to say, 'It would be in perfect condition if you lot didn't run trains on it!'
Once again the greasers have required filling and checking over. As followers of the DFR know, we have some serious reverse curves and sharp curves in general. The judicious use of greasers makes life for the rails and the wheel flanges a bit easier.
Alex and Rob refit the greaser at Upper Forge. (Pic-P.Hyndman)
A right bunch of likely lads! (Pic-P.Hyndman)
The Geismar loaded with all the necessary kit in beautiful Spring sun! (Pic-P.Hyndman)
A recent and containing job that we are undertaking is the replacement of cracked slide chairs in the only point onto the engine shed sidings. Needless to say it is something that is vitally important to keep in good order. Without it we have no locos! Unfortunately no pictures at the moment. One interesting aside for this point is was it was originally a GWR point with the associated through bolts. However the chairs have been secured using LMS screws. Unfortunately there is a very slight difference in diameter which requires all the holes to be reamed out slightly, or having each screw turned down a few thou. Neither option is an easy route! A timber will also be replaced in this point in the very near future.
On the subject of points, a member of our gang, Aron has been tidying up the point levers for the hand points in Norchard Yard. They need to have their tops painted white to make them easy to see. Hand points are our realm whereas all the others are the realm of the S+T dept.
Wire brishing the point levers. (Pic-A.Stenning)
Levers all Red Oxided and ready for the finishing coats. (Pic-A.Stenning)
Meanwhile yours truly has spent the last week working on the Dogfish again. This has consisted of vacuum pipe replacements, freeing rigging and the judicious use of WD40 combined with a sledge hammer. The reason for this burst of actuavty is we are both hoping to do a ballast drop in the near furture for the purposes of training incoming tampers, and to get them into a state where they can be used in a consist for the rideable freight at our September Diesel Gala. Its not often we have all 11 of our Dogfish in a single consist!
Breaking out the big guns. (Pic-E.Dyer)
Extracting the last wagon from the junction with the shunting gang. Final Dogfish is to
the left of the wagon. Note the 08 lurking the undergrowth! (Pic-E.Dyer)
Behold! Forgotten ballast! 3 wagon loads!! (Pic-E.Dyer)
That is one serious ballast train! Now to fill the suckers! 11 filled wagons would make
whatever loco pulling them bark a little! (Pic-E.Dyer)
We're not sure if any other heritage railway can put a rake of 11 together, we think we may have the longest in preservation! Any readers know otherwise, we would love to hear from you.
Until next time.
Until next time.
