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Saturday 25 October 2014

Working Day 25/10/2014

Hello again ......................................

Another productive day by the CFPS engineering team today on both loco's. 

Firstly 345 (40145) has today received its annual safety inspection and passed with no major issues. This inspection is necessary to ensure that the locomotive is fit for service at the time of inspection for continued use on Network Rail lines. 

As 345 is classed as an Heritage Locomotive with derogations granted to make loco exempt from some of the new railway group standards the loco must receive this inspection either annually or at 15'000 miles which ever comes first. 

The inspection is undertaken by an external accredited Vehicle Acceptance Body under contract by the CFPS. 

In basic terms its an MOT just like your car! 

I am also pleased to report that the coolant pre-heater on 345 has now been commissioned. The system was trialled for 7 hours yesterday and the engine block got warm enough to open the radiator thermostats which is around the 60 degree C mark. 

The last phase will be fitted this week coming is a timer function so it can be programmed to come on like your heating at home. There will be a Frost Stat function which will also automatically switch the pre-heater on if temperature fall below 4 degrees C. 

345 will be prepared for upcoming Compass Tours trip from Southport to York / Saltburn on November 29th 2014.  This will take place on Saturday's 1st & 22nd this will include the annual maintenance exam.

D335

Whilst I was attending to the inspection on 345 the rest of the team was getting stuck into lifting the boiler room roof section off and craning out the stones steam generator out for refurbishment. 

Once this was completed the gang then removed the chequer plate floor from the boiler area for de-greasing and steam cleaning and steam cleaning the boiler compartment and all the pipe work from under the floor. 

There's still plenty of cleaning and painting still to do. Here are a few photo's from today's activities.

James gets to grips with 30 years of dirt and Grime with the pressure washer!

Floor plates after a good cleaning 

Front view of the Stones Steam Boiler

The gang get on with sealing boiler exhaust outlet before roof section is refitted.

Stones Steam generator after removal and cleaning 

Dave Greenwood gives the boiler a good clean off with pressure washer.


The next working dates will be as follows:

Saturday 1st November 2014 - 335 & 345 (Tour prep)
Saturday 22nd November 2014 - 345 (Tour Prep and exam)

If you wish to help please contact me by email on engineering@cfps.co.uk your more than welcome to come and join us and help us keep two pieces of English Electric & British Rail history alive. 

Alternatively we are seeking helpers to assist us with re-locating our vehicle parts stores and catalogue all parts we have in stock. We are seeking help in clearing vegetation to enable spares to be moved safely if you can help please contact either John Stephens by email - chairman@cfps.co.uk or Jonny Stevenson by email - secretary@cfps.co.uk.    

Finally I wish to thank the following for their assistance today; Jonathan Stevenson, Mike Hirst, Mike Marren, Paul Morris, Dave Greenwood, James Bottomley, Mark Hornby, Derek Gibson & Andy Hardman. 

More news soon.

Cheers
Lee


Thursday 9 October 2014

Working Day 25th October 2014

Evening All

With work on D335 now underway I wish to organize a working day on Saturday 25th October concentrating on progressing tasks forwards.

The loco will be at Castlecroft shed as we will need use of the 10 ton crane to remove boiler room roof section and lift out the steam generator onto a trolley.

Once steam generator has been removed we will need to steam clean the engine room and boiler area for painting.

The boiler will need to filled with an antifreeze solution to prevent frost damage and corrosion.

Also on the same day 345 will be inspected for its annual Network Rail safety examination at Buckley Wells shed.

If you can help and wish to get involved with our engineering team to get D335 fighting fit again please email me on engineering@cfps.co.uk.

Even if you can only drive a scraper and paint brush your help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Lee

Wednesday 1 October 2014

CFPS Engineering Update

Hello All.............................

Firstly a huge apology for all who follow our engineering blog for not updating in so long, Other commitments have limited my free time in recent months to keep you up to date.

However with work already started on 40135 repairs and repaint it seemed a good time to start reporting on the progress made which only started today thanks to efforts of Seton Spencer.

Firstly I will give you all a brief run down on work that will be completed on 40135 (D335) over next 12 months with a return to traffic expected to be Autumn diesel gala 2015.


  • Removal of Stones steam generator - for total rewire, corrosion repairs and upgrade of boiler operating controls. 
  • Heavy cleaning and painting of engine room and boiler compartment.
  • Complete fitment of overhauled brake cylinders - 3 units left to fit.
  • Heavy cleaning of under-frame.
  • Heavy clean of main and auxiliary generator, overhaul brush gear on aux gen. 
  • Heavy cleaning and replace worn out brush gear and re-anti track paint traction motors 1 to 5. 
  • Sort out various minor coolant, fuel and oil leak  and C exam. 
  • Remove and re-seal cab windows and body side windows.
  • Corrosion repairs as required to body.
  • Renew cab floors both cabs and new floor vinyl added & new trim. 
  • Repaint body - BR Green - full yellow ends.
  • Refit and certify stones steam generator for 2015 winter season. 
As you can see there's quite a bit to achieve so if you can help us please get in touch by emailing me at engineering@cfps.co.uk. 

Today Seton has got us to a flying start by unbolting boiler room roof, disconnecting boiler ready for lifting out and removing auxiliary generator brush gear for overhaul. Thanks Seton!!

I will post out a list of working dates concentrating on D335 over next day or so. 

A quick update on 345.

Loco performed very well at last weeks gala - it was noted that field diverts and general load control system is working much better after recent re-bushing of operating linkage between the power piston, governor and load regulator cam switches. There is some minor adjustments to be made to get field diverts coming in at correct speed and increase horsepower slightly. 

There will be also a couple of working dates on 345 to prepare her for next mainline outing in November. 

Cheers

Lee