An update from the Engineering Team

All notes and pictures supplied by Matt Holloway

A brief update to a cold and foggy start to 2017!

Behind the scenes the final touches to the CAD models and Manufacturing Drawings for the Cylinder blocks have been finished and await final approval by Premier Patterns who will be manufacturing the new block. Following a trip up to see Premier Patterns, and ironing out any nagging issues, we should hopefully be at the point for seeing a set of freshly cast blocks appearing in the yard at Sheffield Park some time this year!

On the frame front....

 Following some test welding on the RHS plate, which resulted in localised cracking, and another survey being taken on the state of the frames as a whole it has come quiet apparent how corroded the rear section of the LHS plate really is as well as the hap-hazard material Spec of the original plates (Remembering that in 1910 steel quality standards and composition did not exist as we know today!) Thus resulting in issues with trying to weld new steel to the unknown original steel frames!

Also to create an effective repair at least a 1/3rd of the rear of the LHS would need to be replaced as well as a section of the RHS plate of about 3ft!

With this in mind and the cracking of the test welds quotes are being sourced for the cost of a set of new frames plates.

Once we have an estimated cost for a new set of frames a comparison of the cost and future reliability of repairing the old frames, using more specialised welding Rods and material analysis of the original frames, against manufacturing a new set will be made.

Progress on the small part restoration....

Two new coupling storage hooks and one of the old ones used as a pattern

The two new hooks following painting



Spring hangers awaiting restoration

Spring hangers disassembled and painted in "BondaPrimer"

Spring hangers reassembled

The Steam Reverser Hydraulic Lock Valve Cover following priming

This is a small selection of the work we are currently carrying out with the assistance of your support and donations.  For this and more extensive work to carry on we need your continuing support.  Our thanks go to the engineering team for continuing the work in sometimes plainly awful conditions, to those of you who support their efforts and to everyone who has helped us get to where we are in whatever way they have.

Thanks for reading!

Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund

Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk

http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

Why not support us by making a donation at

http://www.justgiving.com/Project27
Or for Text donations Simply text "FENC72 £10" to 70070 to donate £10
    - you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10;
    - you can also elect to Gift Aid your donation;
    - your operator's standard text charge applies.

A bit of a review of 2016

Well, what a year it has been!  Whilst there was not too much difference to be seen on the outside, there was plenty done behind the scenes. This ranged from cleaning and painting to the manufacture of new part.  The overhaul of the steam reverser has continued throughout the year, and of course there has been many sales and information stands during the year.

The drawings for the cylinders were completed to a stage where they could be checked for shrinkage and tolerances.  These have been prepared by Matt Holloway. Since the beginning of the year matt has also prepared drawings for the frames which were passed to us around Easter time. Later in the year Matt surveyed an original SECR buffer and prepared drawings for it.  He has also surveyed a bunker side which will be drawn up when time permits.  For his efforts, Matt was presented with the “Freddie Webb Award” at the loco department annual meeting, we congratulate him on this honour.

Thanks must also go to Roger Cruise, Keith Sturt and Fred Bailey for their help in researching drawings at the NRM and also for helping with the checking of Matt’s efforts.

Many hours of cleaning and painting of parts large and small has been carried out during the year.  The list of things being processed seems to be never ending, but we will get them all done!

In April the wheelsets went off to South Devon Railway Engineering for tyre and journal turning together with ultrasonic testing.  They were returned to Sheffield Park in December.  These will now be cleaned and painted ready for the re assembly of the loco.

The Steam reverser overhaul has continued during the year being carried out by Ben Dingley and Ian Ferguson.  This has included machining of the existing parts and castings, together with the manufacture of new parts.  The overhaul is now nearing completion and hopefully will be tested shortly before being returned to the railway and being protected before being stored.

The final parts were removed from the frames in the middle of the year.  This included the valances and footsteps.  The valances will be used as patterns to construct a new set to be installed on the loco.  The footsteps are currently being cleaned and given a protective coat of paint.  The guard irons are also being given a coat or two of filling primer and being rubbed down to give a smooth surface before final painting is carried out.  This is being carried out by Jim Turtle.

The sales and publicity side of the group has been busy over the last 12 months and we have had a very good year on the fundraising front.  As well as having stands at most of the “gala” days at the railway, we also attended two model railway exhibitions. At one of these we met up with Adrian Harrison, and Ex Bluebell Fire Department volunteer who now runs a model company.  He has kindly taken a selection of stock to other exhibitions on our behalf, and thanks are due to him for doing this.  It is likely that we will be at three exhibitions in Sussex this year, we not only raise the profile of the fund, but also the wider railway and groups on the railway.

Thanks for reading and please come back at regular intervals!

If you would like to help us restore the locomotive to working order, we would always welcome donations however large or small for more details, please E mail us at the address below.

Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund
Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society

thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

Why not support us by making a donation at
http://www.justgiving.com/Project27
Or for Text donations Simply text "FENC72 £10" to 70070 to donate £10
    - you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10;
    - you can also elect to Gift Aid your donation;
    - your operator's standard text charge applies.

Don't Panic!

There is plenty going on behind the scenes and hopefully by the end of next week I will be in a position to let you know what it is!

 

We are planning our year as far as fundraising and information stands is concerned and we hope to be able to have stands at the following Bluebell Events:

 

• Diesel Gala - 31st March - 2nd April
• Flying Scotsman visit -  13^th – 19^th April
• Branch Line - 13th and 14th May
• Lego Weekend - 27th and 28th May
• Model Railway 24th - 25th June
• Collectors Fair - 29th and 30th July
• Seaside Weekend - 19th and 20th August
• Steam Through the Ages - 23rd and 24th September
• Deltic 40th anniversary celebrations - 7th & 8th October

Unfortunately the Southern at War Weekend and the Vintage Transport Weekend are not on the Bluebell's list of events for this year, which is disappointing as they are both popular weekends!


In addition to these events,  We have been invited to a few model exhibitions this year too!

• Wealden Railway Group - Steyning Exhibition - 22nd April
• Worthing Model Railway Club Exhibition - Durrington School 23rd & 24th September
• Sussex N Gauge Group -  Angmering School - November 4th & 5th

 This is an  advanced list and may be subject to change.

Keep popping back and hopefully by the end of next week there will be some news!

Is there anything happening?

Well, yes there is, but not too much that is readily visible!  Stuart has been carrying out some repairs to the roof of the Villa and there has been some restoration some of the smaller componentry.  On the fundraising front we have had a good year and are on our way to paying for a cylinder block, or at least the rough casting!  The wheel sets have been returned from the South Devon Railway and are now in "ready to run" condition (well, very nearly!).  there has been plenty of discussion on the restoration of various parts of the loco, including the frames.  It now looks likely that new frames will be the way to go.  Possibly no more expensive than repairing the existing frames and probably easier when it comes to the restoration.  The costs and practicalities will need to be finalised before we make the final decision.


I am about to put together a "review of the year and projection for the forthcoming year" together which will be published here first.  I am hoping to get this done by the end of January.

Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund

Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk

http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Why not support us by making a donation at

http://www.justgiving.com/Project27
Or for Text donations Simply text "FENC72 £10" to 70070 to donate £10
    - you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10;
    - you can also elect to Gift Aid your donation;
    - your operator's standard text charge applies.

December Round Up

Apologies for not posting quite as often as I would like at the moment, unfortunately real life is playing a part!


So, what have we been doing over the last few weeks?


There has been much cleaning and painting of small parts in the "warmth" of the Villa workshop at Sheffield Park being carried out by Matt, Jim and Stuart to varying degrees.  Some work has been carried out to replace some damaged felt on the roof of the villa, some of which has been damaged by the weather.


The wheels have been returned from the South Devon Railway where the tyres and journals have been turned.  Whilst they were there, the  wheels and axles were ultrasonically tested and found to be in a good internal condition. 


We are still waiting for the final approval of the drawings before we order the cylinders for 27 and 178.  Hopefully these can be ordered soon in the new year.


The cracks on each of the plate frames has been re-inspected and a trial weld carried out on right hand crack, where a piece was welded in to hopefully make the frames good.  Unfortunately for some unknown reason as the welding was being carried out cracks were appearing ahead of the operation.  We are not sure if it was the wrong type of rod the different grades of steel or another reason, but it appears that this will make it difficult to produce a really good repair that will last for another 100 years.  Investigations are taking place to see the best way to proceed. There is a real possibility that we will need a pair of plate frames to be manufactured for the loco.


We are currently discussing the way forward from a number of standpoints.  If we do need to manufacture new plate frames there are a number of advantages and some disadvantages.  We need to bottom out all of the "pro's and con's" before we make a final decision, but once this has been made you will hear it here first!


We hope to bring some really good news shortly so please keep popping back.


We have four model railway exhibitions "pencilled in" for our display next year, all fairly local! 

• The Wealden Railways Group Exhibition in Steyning on the 22nd of April;
• The Bluebell Modellers Weekend in the summer;
• Worthing Model Railway Club Exhibition in September;
• The Sussex N Gauge Group on the first weekend in November.

We are also aiming on having a presence at all of the Bluebell Railway Event this year, including the visit of Flying Scotsman over the Easter Period - we are looking for friends to help man the  stand so if you know anyone..... (when we hope to be able to show you some proper progress!)


Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund
Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

Why not support us by making a donation at
http://www.justgiving.com/Project27
Or for Text donations Simply text "FENC72 £10" to 70070 to donate £10
    - you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10;
    - you can also elect to Gift Aid your donation;
    - your operator's standard text charge applies.

More original SECR information

An extract form the SECR repair book located!

I had an E Mail from John Arkell of the SECR Society (and C&W at Horsted Keynes) with a very interesting attachment.  He spent time at the National Archives recently and found reference to the repairs carried out on No.27 in December 1922. It makes very interesting reading indeed!


It gives details of the work carried out and the settings different items are reset to.  the boiler number is listed (No. 289) and the fact that it was given a new chimney!

The entry is signed by the Chargeman Mr J. Sharp on the 23rd of December 1922 There is no mention of the date the loco entered works other than the note in the "came in" column 1922, so there is no way of knowing in this document how long the repair took.


Anyway, I hope you find it as interesting as I did!


Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund
Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

Why not support us by making a donation at
http://www.justgiving.com/Project27
Or for Text donations Simply text "FENC72 £10" to 70070 to donate £10
    - you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10;
    - you can also elect to Gift Aid your donation;
    - your operator's standard text charge applies.

Time Team are at it again!

Original SECR Paint Discovered

Whilst starting to clean up one of the sand boxes on Sunday, Jim Turtle not only discovered sand that has been in the sand boxes for at least 45 years, and possibly from BR days, but he also discovered the original Ashford applied paint. Whilst knocking off the "Corn flaked" paint, and rubbing down what was below, several liveries were discovered.

Jim Turtle rubbing down the sandbox revealing various liveries (Pictures by Clive Emsley)

We are certain that the SECR livery we have found is indeed the original one as it seems to be below a layer of black, green and further black layers before the top layer of SECR style livery applied in 1962.

It is fairly obvious which layers were added in which order and by careful cleaning it will hopefully be possible to see the livery history of the locomotive.

The initial rubbed down area clearly showing the SECR lining disappearing below the later paint applications

In the picture above, you can see the original lining disappearing below later layers of paint.  It appears that the lining was covered by a layer of black when the loco was painted plain green during the SECR pre First World War period, and during it's ROD and grey liveried time. This can be seen around the centre of the picture at the edge of the rubbed down area.  There then appears to be Maunsell Green applied which again can be seen towards the centre of the picture and to the right about half way up.  The final layers of paint are black as applied in SR, BR and early Bluebell days.  The state of the original paint is remarkable bearing in mind it was applied over 100 years ago!

The original paint will be, where possible, protected following further careful research to determine the layers of paint applied.

Other work that has been carried out

A fair amount of preparation and painting on various parts has been carried out over the last couple of weeks and a jolly fine finish has been achieved during the work.

One of the Vacuum pipe dummies given a high sheen finish.

The vacuum pipe dummy has been stripped to its component parts, thoroughly cleaned and painted up to top coat.  This has been given a high gloss finish to protect it whilst in storage.

Footstep supports

The footstep supports have been given a thorough clean and have been painted black. these are located behind the footstep to give some triangulation and hold the step steady.

The footsteps and guard irons

The footstep backing plates have been painted up to primer stage following a thorough clean.  The top step angles are still attached as they are in reasonably good condition.  The lower ones have been removed and will be re-manufactured shortly.  All of the cast treads have been broken and a new set will need to be cast.  Whilst this happens, it will be investigated if any other SECR step castings need to be replaced, and if they are the same size as the ones on the P class. The guard irons also seen in the picture have been given two or three coats of filling primer to take out the pitting that has occurred over the years.  this has left a beautifully smooth finish and will look magnificent when painted into black gloss. 

One of the hooks to stow the coupling on when not in use

The hook in the picture is actually in very good condition, hardly any rust on it.  this will be stripped of the old paint before being brought up to the standard of the previously seen vacuum dummy.  This and many other small part restorations will keep us busy over the winter months, when we can only work indoors.

Thank you for reading this far I hope you have found it interesting.

Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund

Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk

http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Why not support us by making a donation at

http://www.justgiving.com/Project27
Or for Text donations Simply text "FENC72 £10" to 70070 to donate £10
    - you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10;
    - you can also elect to Gift Aid your donation;
    - your operator's standard text charge applies.