9/29/2016

Saturday Gang Report May-August 2016

Introduction:

Greetings once again from the Saturday Gang! With summer winding down, it’s time to take stock of the work we’ve done and what’s still left to do before the end of the year. With numerous locos going out on loan, what is usually a quiet time of the year has actually been rather eventful. Our February report this year has been the longest ever, in a month that usually yields limited progress. With this in mind, here’s our update on locos for the first third of 2016:

Locomotives:

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’-  In the seventh year of its overhaul 25 is coming along well. This loco has passed its boiler hydraulics test, a key step in its journey back into service. In fact, work has progressed to the extent that it no longer requires scaffolding around the firebox. It’s always nice to see clear visible progress on our locomotives. Additional work includes newly oiled boiler tubes and continued painting on the firebox.
 Now 100% staging-free!

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’-  In service, occasional running work done.
 

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’- In service.  This ‘terrier’ has recently been washed out and  had its mudhole doors cleaned.
 

NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’- In service. We have carried out the occasional running job, such as running down the clack valves and providing boiler washouts.
 
376 just before a washout.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’- We have undertaken occasional running work on the railway’s workhouse USA tank. It’s had a bit of fresh paint on the inside of the smokebox and a few washouts from us. However, ‘65’ is nearing the end of its boiler ticket, and will go out of service at the end of this year.
 

WD USA Class 0-6-0T DS238 ‘Wainwright’- As before, progress on ‘65’s sister loco has happened in fits and starts. Our volunteers have been working on a new footplate, and given the window frames a bit of a clean.  More notably, the external steam pipes have had a few coats of paint and been sealed a little better. Hopefully ‘21’ will be better protected against rust than it has been in the past.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’- No new information.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753- This little loco remains in the very early stages of overhaul. We have recently painted the motion on the locos wheels with a layer of undercoat. Aside from this, a return to service would still seem very far in the future.
 
The P Class wheels, newly painted in the shed.

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638- In service. As it sees frequent use, we often need to carry out running work on this loco. We recently sealed a leak in the loco’s smokebox with fire cement. It also has new sleeves for the safety valve.

Ransomes & Rapier 30-ton Steam Crane DS 81-  We still do odd jobs on the steam crane.  In August it needed adjustments to a few of its valves.

Videos:





Conclusion:

Well that’s about all for the second part of the year. As always, feel free to visit our Facebook page and YouTube channel if you have any questions, and be sure to subscribe to both. Our next update should be coming some time in September. Until then, we at the Saturday Gang hope you enjoy your summer!




5/29/2016

Saturday Gang Report January- April 2016

Introduction:

Hello from all at the Saturday Gang! The first four months of 2016 have seen numerous developments on the railway. With numerous locos going out on loan, what is usually a quiet time of the year has actually been rather eventful. Our February report this year has been the longest ever, in a month that usually yields limited progress. With this in mind, here’s our update on locos for the first third of 2016:

Locomotives:

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0T 25 ‘Northiam’- We’ve made steady progress on this loco. It’s got new mudhole doors and rivets on the boiler. The firebox has even got to the stage where we can apply new paint to it. We also said goodbye to the old corroded sideplates on the foundation ring. Maybe there was something symbolic there.


LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- In serviceable condition. We’ve removed some rust from the smokebox.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’- No new information.


NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’- This loco is still running after going to France on loan. It has donated some boiler tubes to the Terriers and P Class.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’- In operation.


WD USA Class 0-6-0T DS238 ‘Wainwright’- This overhaul is coming along nicely. It’s got a few coats of paint on the cab and external steam pipes. We’ve also got rid of some old bolts in the bunker door.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’- No new information.


SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753- No new information

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638- Back in service after overhaul.

Ransomes & Rapier 30-ton Steam Crane DS 81- The steam crane required some maintenance on the boiler. We’ve cleaned it out and needle-gunned the outside surfaces.

Videos:


Conclusion:

Well that’s all for this edition. As always, feel free to visit our Facebook page and YouTube channel if you have any questions, and be sure to subscribe to both. Our next update should be coming some time in September. Until then, we at the Saturday Gang hope you enjoy your summer!




1/12/2016

Saturday Gang Report September-December 2015

Introduction

Hello and welcome to 2016 from the Saturday Gang! Here we are, as promised, detailing what the final third of 2015 had in store. Progress has continued at a steady rate on our regular locos, and we have been able to start giving attention to ones that have wanted a bit of work for a good long while! For the specifics, here is our locomotive roundup:

Locomotives

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0T 25 ‘Northiam’- This is something of a flagship project for us at the moment. Following on from the spring, we gave the cab and tank another coat of paint in the autumn, making use of the last of the good weather! But most of the work has focused on the boiler, specifically the firebox. Throughout the period we’ve added new bolt and rivet holes on base of foundation ring, along with making new mudhole doors.
25's boiler on its wagon


LB&SCR A1X Class (Terrier) 0-6-0T 32670 ‘Bodiam’- We’ve been conducting general maintenance on perhaps our most famous loco. The November report demonstrates our efforts to reinsert the blast pipe, as well and cleaning and reassembling the firebox.

LB&SCR A1X Class (Terrier) 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’- No new information.


NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 Norwegian’- In September we cut this loco some new fire bars: well they didn’t fit the other locos so why waste them?

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’- Currently serving as the railway’s primary workhorse, ‘Maunsell’ remained in service. Only minor running maintenance was required occasionally, such as removing and emptying the oiler in October.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T DS238 ‘Wainwright’- Finally, our other USA tank is getting some TLC! We’ve drilled new holes for the firebox door and modified the regulator stuffing box. As of the end of the year, a new regulator gland is under construction.
Two of our volunteers drill holes in DS238's firebox

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’- Just some general maintenance on this loco, such as clearing a blocked sander in October, and cleaning the vacuum brake.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753- It’s been ages since we’ve done anything on this one! But at last, the P Class got some attention, with a new piston being machined. There’s still an awful lot of work to be done before this loco is anywhere near operation, but it’s nice to know it isn’t forgotten.
753's frames inside Rolvenden shed

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638- Out of service, undergoing overhaul.

Ransomes & Rapier 30-ton Steam Crane DS81- I know, I know this isn’t technically a loco! But it’s worth mentioning, as the lamp bracket we were building in the summer was soon finished and attached to the crane.  Just another example of continual running improvements the Saturday Gang can provide!

Videos






Conclusion

Well that’s all there is to say about our progress in 2015. If you’d like to contact us, please go to our Facebook page, or check out SaturdayGangVideos on YouTube for the earliest video updates. All that remains is to wish you all the best for 2016 on behalf of the Saturday Gang. We’ll see you in the Spring!