Maintenance Update

Sunday 20th
John had cleaned up 8 rail chairs on Saturday, so I spent a couple of hours applying the first coat of anti-rust (Deproma) to their tops, today.  An email arrived on Friday ordering a GWR boot scraper; another email yesterday - so that's orders for eight (6 x GWR + 2 x GNR) in the space of a few days!  Plus Alan wanting to collect two at our AGM.

Weds 23rd
By the time I arrived, Bruce (aided by Loco Dept chaps) had fixed the outstanding things in preparation for 2807 to steam over the weekend.  In particular, he (they)  re-fitted the brass bonnet over the safety valves.  Bruce then spent much time removing and lapping in the "pep" pipe on/off valve, which had been seen to dribble during the steam test - more of which, below!
I (of course) pressed on to meet the 8 extant orders for boot scrapers!  This included an hour or more on the following days, too, applying paint and lettering in order to also have enough stock to re-supply the F&W for the final week of normal running.

Sat 26th
This was our AGM.  Nothing exciting happened.  We did go for a ride behind 2807 from Toddington up to Laverton, back to Cheltenham, and return to Toddington.  A group of 7 of us managed to sit together (the train was amazingly full).  Nattering, as we were, a chap in the seats behind us suddenly stood up, saying, "I couldn't help overhearing you taking about 2807. I am one of the chaps who rescued her from Barry in 1981."

Sun 27th
2807 was on luncheon train duty, and I was lucky enough to catch her at Winchcombe, and took a photo of the "pep" pipe system (see attached).  The "pep" pipe was still dribbling!

The on/off handle is a two-way tap.  In the "off" position it points outwards (as in the photo).  The pep pipe (aka "slacking" pipe - possibly because it is used to wet down the coal slack to stop it blowing into the cab when travelling backwards **) operates when the injectors are used.  The two feeds are one from each injector.  When the injector is on, the pep pipe can be used - to clean coal, clean the cab, etc.  However, it is clearly dribbling still when the injectors are not being used.  This means that there is pressure (potentially up to 200 psi) in at least one of the feed pipes.  This occurs because the top clack valve (that feeds water into the boiler) leaks, and back pressure builds up in the pipe.

The "wheel" valve turns on the sprinkler in the ash pan, intended to damp down ash and also cool down cinders and prevent fires burning in the ash pan.  It is most useful when cleaning out the ash, which flies everywhere!  But it is easier to stuff a hose up the ash pan and wet it that way!

Having talked it through with Andy Webber (the fireman) on Sunday, he decided to crack the wheel open and let the pressure damp the ash continually, rather than have a copper pipe with 200 psi in it next to his left leg!  I'd be interested to know how that went.

** In the old days, of course, it was used by firemen to spray train spotters who were sitting along the line-side.  However, H&S won't allow that these days.

Mon 28th
Finished off the 8 ordered boot scrapers.  Couldn't see 2807 - wanted to take a photo of the springs & compensating beam.  She must have been hiding somewhere (else blown along the line).

Roger