7820 Dinmore Manor - The Blog

This blog will follow the heavy overhaul of 7820 through to its return to steam. The chassis is being overhauled at Tyseley Locomotive Works whilst the boiler is being overhauled at Ian Riley's workshops.
We are working hard every weekend to bring together the hundreds of small pieces that require refurbishing to get the loco back into working order. Follow us to keep up todate with the weekly progress and who knows if you like the look of what you see you may even be tempted to join us and help put 7820 back in action.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

16th March 2014 - Toddington



                                                       ALL STEAMED UP
 
     The tender of 9017 has arrived at Toddington and is receiving
 some attention both internally and externally

 
  7820 is still paired with the Hawksworth tender and is in light steam
      as attention is focussed on the lubrication system in readiness for her first
 move under her own power


                            Having lifted the engine to the correct height above rail level by
                            adjusting the spring hanger bolts, the crucial task of weighing
                                                       each axle load is undertaken

 
       With volunteers crawling all over the engine and underneath,
          jacks under the buffer beam and in light steam, quite correctly
       the lamp bracket carries the warning instruction to all that
she is NOT TO BE MOVED


                               Finally, late on Saturday afternoon in the fading light and with
                               cylinder cocks open, she moves triumphantly along the yard under
                              her own power after nearly 10 years of storage and restoration.
                                                   Some finishing work is required but
                                              DINMORE MANOR is alive and kicking!!!










Wednesday 12 March 2014

7th to 9th March 2014 - Toddington


                                                     INSURANCE STEAM TEST

 
 On Friday, paired with a Hawksworth tender kindly loaned by the
 7903 group, 7820 is prepared for her steam test

 
Steam up and blowing off
 
 
Final setting of the safety valves is undertaken during the steam test


 
  Measurements for the spacer tubes on the safety valves
 can now be taken, manufactured and fitted once the
steam test is complete
 
 
With the gauge at 225 p.s.i., 7820 passes her steam test with flying colours
 
 
         On Saturday, 7820 stands in the sunshine in the company of 5542.
        Running plating is being refitted whilst final setting of the
 piston valves is undertaken
 
 
   A new lubrication pipe is manufactured for fitting to the
regulator box inside the smoke box

 
  Steam chest cladding, which should have been fitted prior
   to the boiler being lifted in, has been modified to allow
it to be fitted after installation of the boiler

 
Steam pipe casing is cleaned ready for fitting

 
Steam pipe casing and seat hinges being prepared for fitting
 
 
    Inside the shed, 4270 will join 7820 as part of the GW steam
 fleet whilst work has started on 7903's 10 year overhaul
 

                                 Plenty to do when 7820 is back in service as 2874, one of DML
                               Group's Churchward 2-8-0's, waits its turn in the restoration queue.
                                               So if you are at a loose end for a few years,
                                                           you know where we are!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Friday, 28th February to Sunday, 2nd March 2014.

 
 

 

                                                             TODDINGTON


 
      7820 is moved into the yard over the inspection pit. in the
             background in red oxide paint is the tender it was hoped to use initially.


                              Backed up to 5542 in readiness to move from the yard to..................
 
the watering facility to have the boiler filled
 

      And finally the tender which it is hoped will run initially
 behind 7820 loaned from 9017

 

 
      Just a pity the engine will not come with the tender as a black Manor
     and black Dukedog double headed would be a sight to behold!!