Steam Navvy Asbestos Strip

Steam Navvy Asbestos Strip

23rd November 2010
For some time there have been concerns regarding the boiler lagging on the Steam Navvy. As a result, and with financial assistance from the Friends, the whole navvy has been decontaminated. This now means we can consider providing access to the interior, previously isolated.
Below: An overall view showing the rather handy staircase to the Navvy door – something we would like to copy on a permanent basis.
Below: The firebox tubeplate. A future step will be to remove the tubes and vent the boiler in order to gain an idea of its condition.
Below: This is the view looking forwards from the firebox end of the boiler, the controls being seen to the left and the closed shutters also visible. To the right is the drum for raising and lowering the bucket arm. The thrust for digging is provided by an engine mounted on the jib.

Below: A view of the boiler. The doorway to the left is where access is gained at the top of the temporary staircase. As can be seen, it is a locomotive type boiler rather than vertical boiler often associated with such equipment.

Below: Part of the engine which rotates the superstructure on the base. Track steering appears to be accomplished using levers on the track unit itself.

Our next step will be to tidy, clean and prepare the interior for public viewing – no timescale has been set for this the work completed is a step towards this, and ultimately an feasibility assessment regarding a return to steam…