Looking at the work you are doing to this loco just illustrates the input the all gets covered up when the loco is up and running. I have followed what you have achieved with this 'end of life' locomotive right back from when you first acquired it and I was part of a team that came over one very cold freezing day to take some measurements for the Heljan models. There were quite a few holes in it back then but you have had it up and running and at least it has covered accommodation, which is very important in keeping the elements and water out of the places where it can't drain away, but even then condensation can wreak havoc with any metals that aren't adequately protected.
In a similar but slightly smaller vein I am currently trying to curtail the similar 'galloping metal gangrene' on a more recently, but still 38 year old, Leyland Olympian bus which I thought was a good idea from being scrapped. Unfortunately not being able to fully inspect it before purchase has led to a lot of unplanned expenditure in the metal department which my dear wife constantly reminds me about!............as they do!! The next job is to replace the front offside chassis perimeter frame which has just fallen apart due to bad initial design and inadequate maintenance in that area over its life. I suppose like D5343 then this bus was only designed to last the same period of time so it is all our fault for trying to save them. Uphill all the way I'm afraid and there are many days where I have felt like walking away...................but after a few beers the 'challenge spirit' takes over and the problem is no longer a problem but just another expense!
Well done all of you at Toddington and in the preservation movement as a whole......it keeps us off the streets!
Keeping 26043 Alive BCRW "Birmingham Corrosion Rust and Wastage"
in pheaton's Blog
A blog by pheaton in RMweb Blogs
Posted
Looking at the work you are doing to this loco just illustrates the input the all gets covered up when the loco is up and running. I have followed what you have achieved with this 'end of life' locomotive right back from when you first acquired it and I was part of a team that came over one very cold freezing day to take some measurements for the Heljan models. There were quite a few holes in it back then but you have had it up and running and at least it has covered accommodation, which is very important in keeping the elements and water out of the places where it can't drain away, but even then condensation can wreak havoc with any metals that aren't adequately protected.
In a similar but slightly smaller vein I am currently trying to curtail the similar 'galloping metal gangrene' on a more recently, but still 38 year old, Leyland Olympian bus which I thought was a good idea from being scrapped. Unfortunately not being able to fully inspect it before purchase has led to a lot of unplanned expenditure in the metal department which my dear wife constantly reminds me about!............as they do!! The next job is to replace the front offside chassis perimeter frame which has just fallen apart due to bad initial design and inadequate maintenance in that area over its life. I suppose like D5343 then this bus was only designed to last the same period of time so it is all our fault for trying to save them. Uphill all the way I'm afraid and there are many days where I have felt like walking away...................but after a few beers the 'challenge spirit' takes over and the problem is no longer a problem but just another expense!
Well done all of you at Toddington and in the preservation movement as a whole......it keeps us off the streets!