hobbyhorse Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 With the start of our open days not far off, the routine maintenance on the railway continues. As well as building 7mm locos for a living, I've been working on Victory mainly to get the loco ready for its boiler inspection. The first open day this year is on Sunday 5th April. Over the Winter some new stock has arrived, which is all exMOD including another 2 Andrew Barclay diesels to join the other 3 already on the railway. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 The last of the MOD wagons have arrived on the railway, all flat wagons that store away very neatly. Work has started on on of the new brake vans, this starts with getting the brakes to work. The photo shows the van being shunted towards the turntable so we could have a good look at the under frame. The rebuild of one of the Bolton Fell simplexes is progressing well. The frames have returned from the shot blaster, and painting is under way. The rebuild of the gearbox is nearly complete with new bearings fitted. Other jobs include making new parts for the brakes and fitting new chains and sprockets once the problem with the tyres have been sorted out. Bobby (the railways cat) was keeping an eye on us all. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 Since the Gala last year Limpopo has had some work on the motion bearings, if you was present you would have heard some knocking. Yesterday we tested Limpopo and all looks to be OK, plus to put the loco under load we pulled some of the new MOD wagons. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Work in progress this week is repainting one of the coaches, plus a wagon repaint nearly finished with some more lettering to complete. Some more work on the Bolton Fell simplex includes painting and new brake gear being fitted. The Wednesday groups work load was quite interesting this week. Starting with coach No6, which has just finished its bogie overhaul. Placing it on the turntable so that yours truly could carry out a final inspection and do some adjustments to the brake rigging. Once completed the coach was run on the line to test the ride and the brakes. Braking tests carried out on the bank outside the Warren Wood station. These are the Open Days for Bredgar this year.5 April3 May7 June14 June - MoD Diesel Day5 July2 August6 September20 September - Diesel Day4 October1 November - Steam GalaNote the extra events in June and September, plus the end of season gala is now in November to coincide with EXPONG. Bobby the railways cat keeping an eye on the proceedings. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 This week saw four loco undergo the yearly steam test, Limpopo, Victory, Armistice and Eigiau. All past the test which is good news with the start of the season only three weeks away. Limpopo also did some test running after the steam test to check the new packing that had been fitted to one of the crossheads, this was the second time the packing had been replaced as previously it knocked slightly and started to warm up. After a few trips along the line all looked to be OK. Work on one of the new MOD brake vans has started, with one bogie removed the brake gear has been stripped down as most of it was seized. The weight of the bogie is truly immense, it's basically a solid 3" plate of steel with holes cut into it for the wheels, brakes and other bits. The repaint of the coach is complete with the lining completed last week, this coach now matches the rest of the bogie coaches. Couldn't get a photo of as its back in the cartridge side of the shed. Next winter the four wheel coach will probably be repainted, we're still undecided on the colour at the moment. Coal was collected and delivered to the coal stage, good time to play with one of the new diesels. Bobby was happy just to watch. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 With the first Open Day this Sunday 5th April, most of the work has been in getting the railway ready. Some of the other projects have seen some progress, the engine fitted to the simplex, one of the MOD brakes had some work done on the brake rigging. The diesel Wormshill has just had the new software loaded for driverless automatic operation, which if successful will be fitted to the complete diesel fleet. All Bobby wants is some peace. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted April 1, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2015 "The diesel Wormshill has just had the new software loaded for driverless automatic operation, which if successful will be fitted to the complete diesel fleet." Do tell us more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 It's April the 1st, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointstaken Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Enjoyed the photos, especially of the mechanical parts , and of course Bobby the railway cat, who no doubt is thoroughly spoilt by all concerned. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Sunday was a great success for the first open day of the year, with sunshine all day and lots of visitors, who enjoyed all the attractions. The normal post open day work of cleaning the engines continued this Wednesday. This entails sweeping the tubes, throwing out the remains of the fire in the fire box, removing the ash from the smokebox, cleaning out the ashpan, then the cleaning can start and any repairs needed, plus polishing all the brass work. A good days work without any distractions. Other work was to get the four wheel coach into the workshop for a repaint over the summer, to free up some space the red tank wagon was removed at serviced ready to take its place in the freight train. The coach was derailed once inside the workshop as track space is a bit tight with so many green diesels around. One of the end loading twin wagons is off to pastures new, after some maintenance a test run down the line with simplex Becknor. Bobby is now officially part of the railway, not impressed just spent the day sunbathing. Next open day Sunday 3rd May. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted May 7, 2015 Author Share Posted May 7, 2015 With a bit of a damp start, we had a good day as the sun came out at lunch time. Don't know why we was so happy as it was cold and wet to start. This Wednesday the regular post open day maintenance continued plus as we are hosting a charity event for the Heart of Kent Hospice, open garden this Sunday two of the locos have been made ready. For more info see this Link, http://www.hokh.org/...l-light-railway Other work included removing the right hand injector water valve on Victory as its started dripping, a new one will be fitted, as between open days the contents of the tank fill the pit. Work continues on the 4 wheel coach. The wheels with the new tyres for the Simplex have returned and will be fitted soon. Simon Like This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 With the next open day on the 7th June, we managed to get the new injector water valve fitted yesterday. This will enable Victory to be used on the 7th. And refill the tanks. With the Simplex visiting a private railway this weekend, much shunting was required to get it under the lifting gear. After derailing the Simplex and adding a trolley jack under the front, it can be driven along the floor very easily. Other work under way was on the second MOD brake van, with the MOD day not far way on Sunday 14th June the brakes are now working after a lot of work freeing up all the linkages. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted June 4, 2015 Author Share Posted June 4, 2015 7 June Normal open day but with the added bonus of the WW2 re-enactment society in attendance. 14 June An extra one this month, the theme being MoD diesel day. With two open days approaching, yesterday was a busy day with the preparations for the weekend. These included lots of polishing. Chris and Robert doing a fine job on Victory and Eigiau. Work continues on the 4 wheel coach with new side sheeting being added. To get the stock into it's correct position for both weekends a couple of hours shunting was required, it was very pleasant at Stony Shaw. Bobby just sunbathed all day. Weather looking good for Sunday. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 With the September open day this Sunday (6) Victory was tested last week after some maintenance to the valve gear. The day happened to be extremely wet and windy, but she performed well with no problems. Victory will be in steam this Sunday with another two locos. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 This Sunday 20th September is our Diesel Day, we hope to run lots of trains with upto 8 locos available, these couple of shots show some of the shunting getting the locos ready for the day, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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