Restoration Update

A few notes and pictures from the weekend

With the blanking plates removed from the orifices in the cylinder block, it has been possible to see what is going on inside the block.  Also a preliminary check has been made of the dimensions of the block.  Full use of the block will be made for taking measurements to produce a drawing for a casting pattern as soon as it is possible to clean the surface corrosion away from the block and split it into the two halves.


Cylinder block with the exhaust port blanking plate removed      (Photo by Clive Emsley) 

In the picture above it can be seen that the corrosion affects all areas, although slightly less on the inner surfaces, however, it is possible to see the perforation in the exhaust port wall. All of the studs are also severely corroded, which made the removal of the plates difficult in places.

The Exhaust port with the blanking plate removed   (Photo by Clive Emsley)

In the picture above it is possible to see the fitted bolts (and nuts) which hold the two parts of the cylinder block together at the top.  A similar arrangement holds the block together at the bottom. In this view it appears that there is little corrosion in this side of the cylinder block, but initial looks may be deceptive!



The inlet port with the cover removed    (Photo by Clive Emsley)

In this veiw it is possible to see the amount of corrosion sustined to the inlet port anf the face of the connection. the corrosion on the surface of the machined face is about 5mm thick in places, there is much to clean up before being able to carry out an in depth survey of the block. It is also possible to see the differences in corrosion of the studs! The loose corrosion will be cleaned away to allow a meaningful survey to be carried out.


Looking into the valve chest    (Photo by Clive Emsley)

The accumulation of corrosion has been cleared from the valve chest.  It is not entirely possible to see the full amount of corrosion in this picture, but it does not appear to be beyond use as a reference for the production of drawings for a pattern.



ROD 27 Tank on Platform 1

 The plaque has now been added to the tank which has been placed on display on Platform 1 at Sheffield Park. 

Other work carried out this weekend was a start on the refurbishemnt of the "Villa" the small workshop between the Tesco building and Atlantic House.  This is in need of a thorough tidy and reconfiguirement to make it suitable for future needs and to improve the working conditions of the gang .  There are a few minor safety issues to be improved also.  It is planned that the right hand side will be turned into a small "office" and a painting room with a door or curtains to keep the dust etc from the workshop area adjacent out. The workshop area will also benefit from some reconfigurement.  A number of steel cupboards and drawer units have been kindly donated by a local civil engineering consultancy to help with the job, and they are much appreciated.

The fund benifited from the sale of the painting by Matthew Cousins of 27 and 753 on the quayside at Boulogne.  This was auctioned in the annual sale on Sunday at Atlantic House. Thanks go to them for allowing us to use their sale to our benefit.

We will be having a "monster" stand at the Bluebell Railway Modelers Weekend on the 27th and 28th of June this year.  We will be in the upstairs of the Bessemer Arms along with a couple of other layous and a trader.  We will have a large sales stand, together with a collection of models on display, the highlight of which is a newly built diorama inspired by a picture in the Bluebell Archives of 32636 (Fenchurch) heading a small goods train on the Cuckoo Line in the late 1950s.  There will also be two 009 "tail chaser" layouts on display, one working and one being built. I will also have a full size drawing of a proposed layout of "Cowfold Station" on the imagined line from Haywards Heath South Junction to Gay Street Junction on the Mid Sussex Line.

If you would like to lend a hand at the Modellers Weekend, or on any other sales stand or on the restoration of the loco, please let me know by E Mailing thefenchurchfund@gmail .com