Work on all fronts continues at a startling rate – how did we cope without the facilities we now have?!  I’ve already sketched out the next phase – we badly need a paintshop, but this awaits future funding to become a reality…

Below: With Sheffield 264’s lower deck placed onto stands in the Timber Shop yesterday, Tony and Matt wasted no time getting stuck into dismantling it for further inspection.  This has revealed that the main framework is in excellent condition and that the movement observed perhaps emanates from the metal brackets and trusses being loose.  This would be a great bonus if it proves to be the case throughout the tram as it will enable as much of the original 1907 timber to be retained as possible.

Below: The body is clad in teak, some of which has split.  Tony removed some of the paintwork to reveal the extent of this and to enable it to be dug out and repaired.  Note the exposed frame revealed by the removal of a broken section of roker panel.  In particular, the loose ironwork and heavily packed and nutted bolts are worthy of close attention!  A potential cause of the wobbliness for which 264 was withdrawn.

Below: Internally the stripping is well advanced with the seats being removed to enable a closer view of the framework.  No real treasure has turned up, though on original SCT ticket did appear, and modern adjustable spanner – for Matt it was finders keepers (where do all of our adjustable spanners go?).

Below: I collected Samson’s left hand driving wheel centres this morning.  These will head to the Midlands next week along with those for the right hand side, ready to be turned into complete wheelsets.  Note the lugs, which support the ring gear, and deeper crank for the longer crankpin required to clear the gears.

Below: Dave has already started his Christmas homework!  This is the big-end, which is of a marine type (sandwiched shells around the journal, rather than the type usually found on locomotives).

Below: Castings for the eccentrics and eccentric straps have also been collected and await machining.