17th June 2010

A couple of shots from the steam workshop…

Below: Dave Young has made a new pin for the retaining collar on Rambler – the old is shown above the new. The original had extensive cracks and was taking on the shape of a banana. The rolls are being shotblasted ready for cracked spokes to be welded and a full repaing (and lining!). The chimney base has been welded (it had an extensive crack running around it) and painted and several other jobs have been attended to. Once the rear rolls are refitted the front will be removed for the same treatment. A new smokebox ring will also be fitted. The engine will be back in traffic in time for Beamish’s 40th anniversary events on the 3/4th July – see the Facebook page for more information…

Below: Davy welds the pipework for exhaust steam pipe for the Steam Mule. This is waiting a hydraulic test (pending) prior to final steam test… Unfortunately the regular boiler inspector has been incapacitated so we await developments.