Way back in March
2010, when we were frantically trying to get 2807 operating as
quickly as possible, one of the tasks completed was a hydraulic test
of the boiler. Ten years on from this, and the boiler certificate
will expire on 10th
March 2020. This is the event that triggers the 10-year overhaul for
all steam locomotives. Unless of course there is some sort of major
failure before, or the boiler inspectors grant an extension for a
period of time.
So what do we do
about this? At a high level, the options are:
1) When the annual
boiler examination is due in November of this year, we decide not to
have the examination but to start the overhaul instead.
2) At the end of the 2019 operating season at the GWSR we withdraw 2807 and start the overhaul
3) At the end of
the boiler certificate in March 2020 we start the overhaul.
4) At the end of
the boiler certificate in March 2020 we request an additional
examination to find out whether an extension to the certificate is
possible.
Each of these
options has a long list of pros and cons which I won't go into here,
but Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd won't be making any decisions
without first consulting with the GWSR. We need to make sure that
our plans for 2807's overhaul fit in with GWSR's plans for operating
the railway. We also need to select a company to carry out the work
on the boiler, and to join a queue of other boilers waiting for
attention. If there is a 'gap' in the queue then that might
influence our choice of option, and which company will carry out the
boiler work.
All of which means
that right now I can't tell you which of these options (or maybe one
we haven't thought of yet) we will be going with.
Once an option is chosen, we will work with the GWSR to see if there is the possibility of a farewell event for 2807. Details will be made available as soon as possible.
So quite a few
unknowns at the moment, which is a little unnerving. And we can add
to the unknowns because until we start dismantling the locomotive we
won't know the condition of some of the parts. If any are worse than
expected then this may mean that we have to carry out more work,
meaning additional time and expense to complete the overhaul.
This is why, in
addition to income from steaming fees, we've carried on with our
fundraising activities without a break. I'm sure you will have seen
us represented at events at the GWSR, and you'll know from reports in
previous editions of the Cornishman that there are a number of ways
that you can help us financially to make sure that 2807 is overhauled
and back in operation as quickly as possible.
There are a number of ways that you can help and some of these are detailed on this web site. One of the most popular is to become a shareholder.
Meanwhile we still
have our siphon van at Winchcombe. This becomes vitally important to
us now because there will be a lot of parts removed from 2807
shortly, and we need somewhere secure to store them. The siphon
will be used for this, but needs some more work to make it ready.
This includes ensuring that the storage shelving is in good condition
and suitable for the heavier items. This work is underway now and
should be completed in time, whichever option we decide upon.
The
year 2020 is going to be an important one for us, with lots to sort
out and decisions to be made. We'll keep you informed as much as
possible via these round-ups.
