All main driving wheels refitted

7820 with all her driving wheels refitted. The bogie should come out in the next week or so to be overhauled.

Between the frames all the efforts of the volunteers can be seen in the paintwork and the overhauled spring gear.

Rewheeling begins

Rewheeling has begun with the fitting of the overhauled axleboxes to the wheel sets.

Next job is to hang the springs and then slot each axle into place in the frames using the wheel drop.

This will enable the bogie to be removed for overhaul.

Work moves on to refurbishing the valve & brake gear.

The expansion links have been cleaned and the die blocks removed. The links will need reprofiling and then the blocks replacing or white metaling to take up the wear. Some of the bushes have worn and worked loose, they are scheduled for replacement.

The accumulation of crud is removed from the brake gear to allow measurements to be taken. Initial thoughts are that the pins will be skimmed to take out wear then new bushes will be made to suit and pushed into place.

The axle box underkeeps have had the new fillers fitted, this will make oiling up and removal of any water a lot easier. Re-wheeling is now imminent

Reassembly of the boiler begins

The new throat plate is being fitted to the boiler, initial trials indicate a good fit and enough excess around the edges to allow for final trimming.

The edges of the new throat plate will require fettling to ensure correct sizing of the water space and overlap with the new side plates.

The new throat plate fits the boiler well. The holes can be seen where the palm stays are attached.

Meanwhile the new door plate has been fitted and is being welded in place.