9/11/2017

Saturday Gang Report May-August 2017


Introduction:

Greetings to all from the Saturday Gang! Well this has certainly been an interesting summer. We’ve seen some clearly visible progress on a number of our overhauls and added a few more members to our ranks. Aside from this, there have been a few guests over the last few weeks. The Boiler Engineering Skills Training Trust have run three Saturday courses in our yard, in conjunction with the Association For Black and minority ethnic Engineers. We at the Saturday Gang teamed up with their apprentices and gave them a good hands-on insight into the work we do. We’d be happy to have any of the back any time- they almost got better than us in the end!

Locomotives:

Hunslet Austerity Class 0-6-0PT 25 ‘Northiam’- There’s been significant progress on our long-running project. Eight years into the overhaul, the end seems to be in sight. The chimney has been upgraded and reattached, and adjustments made to ensure the fire bars fit adequately. More significantly, the saddle tank has been reunited with the boiler, the main exhausted pipe has been attached and the cab is back on.

LB&SCR A1X Class 0-6-0T 32678 ‘Knowle’-  Remains in service with running maintenance. We recently made some new fire bricks with the help of our guests from BESTT.


NSB 21C Class 2-6-0 376 ‘Norwegian’- Remains in service. Running maintenance throughout the period on the gauge glasses, washouts and boiler inspections.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T 30065 ‘Maunsell’- Out of service.

WD USA Class 0-6-0T DS238 ‘Wainwright’-  A lot has happened on this loco in the last four months. Since the spring, 'Wainwright' has been repainted, and had the cab reinstalled, improving the aesthetic no end! It has recently had a steam test too, with the results still to come. With all being well, this loco should return to steam in the not too distant future.

Manning Wardle O Class 0-6-0T 14 ‘Charwelton’- Unfortunately our beloved former restoration project has suffered a large crack in the boiler and had to leave service two years early. It will be missed around the yard and on the line.

SE&CR P Class 0-6-0T 753-  Out of service.

GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT 1638- Remains in service. Numerous washouts have been carried out on this loco throughout this year, and little bits of running maintenance throughout the period.

GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 ‘Foxcote Manor’- We were lucky enough to have this mainline locomotive visit during the last four months. The Saturday Gang assisted when corrosion was found on a steam pipe in August. It has since moved to a new home on the West Somerset Railway.

Videos:






Conclusion:

That just about covers summer 2017.  It’s been nice to see our little gang branch out a bit over the last few months. As always, our Facebook page and YouTube channel are just below. Do feel free to subscribe and drop us a like if you haven’t already. The next entry details the final four months of the year should arrive in January 2018. Until then, all the best wishes from the Saturday Gang!