Progress in May

The vacuum pump is stripped on a fine Saturday in May (which have been few and far between) and component parts are cleaned and inspected

The pump had accumulated rainwater during the open storage of the engine whilst on the WSR resulting in an oily slurry filling most of the apertures on the pump. The oil reservoir was particularly contaminated as was the pump piston head and rings  

 

 

 

After cleaning undercoat and top coat are applied ready to start reassembly of the pump

 

 A new neoprene gasket is required for the end cover and the relief valves need to be lapped in to ensure a good seal before the pump is final reassembled. This has now been done and the pump is ready to refit to the engine

 

A sand box pipe and water overflow pipe for the fireman's side injector are prepared for painting

 

Water feed, injector live steam and steam heating pipes are all checked, cleaned and painted

 

Parking can be at a bit of a premium at Tyseley!!!

 

Whilst undercover in the former King shed, the injectors pipework and support brackets are refitted beneath the cab

 

With the insulation and oil pipes in place, the cladding on the cylinders and steam chest is secured in place

 

 

Some 1912 vintage equipment (this is not a reference to the three musketeers from the Erlestoke Manor Group) proves to be a suitable bench for lunch!!