More drilling and grinding on the frames

Matt has been hard at it with the grinder and drill again!

A large number of rivets on the frames have been ground flush and blow holes drilled to enable the rivets to be removed.  The rivets that need to be removed include the ones holding the footplating to the valance frames, those holding the valance on and those which hold the foot steps in position.
This is all to allow us to remove the existing bent and distorted valance plates in preparation for new ones being cut to size and installed.

Holes drilled through the rivets holding the footplating to the valance framing (all pictures Matt Holloway)

The new valence plates will be cut using the CAD model produced by Matt and shown on a previous post. The reason for grinding them flush and drilling through is to reduce the risk of a blow back of hot material when the burning out of the rivets takes place. the holes allow the moulten material to pass through and make a tidier job all round.

The drilled and ground rivets following cleaning

The valances, it has been decided, require replacement due to the amount of distortion present in the existing ones. this is due to a long active life and a couple of shunting incidents following withdrawal from service in 1974.

The rivets holding the steps to the valance have been drilled and ground flush

When the old valances have been removed, they will be kept to confirm the design of the new set before being sent for recycling. The steps will be refurbished and new cast treads will be cast to allow them to be further used.

The rear part of the valance drilled and ground ready for burning

The work continues apace and hopefully this will be the last few bits to be removed from the frames before they start to have things put back on to them!


We are currently fund raising for a new set of cylinders for the loco ( a second set will be cast at the same time for loco No.178).  The cost of the casting will be in the region of £7,000 with the cost of machining and transport adding another £7,000 to £8,000 to the cost making a total of around £15,000. If you should happen to know anyone who has recently won the lottery, please point them in our direction!


We are a totally self funding sub committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society, so every penny spent on the loco needs to be raised by receiving donations, selling gifts and items of interest or taking more valuable donated items to auction.


For more information on how you can donate or help in any way, please E Mail us at thefenchurchfund@gmail.com you can also now find our newly evolving Facebook page, just search for Project 27.