K160 UPDATE – APRIL 2024

Not as much to report for the month of April because our fitter has been unwell.  The plan to proceed with the axle boxes has been delayed.  We are also hoping to break through a delay with Puffing Billy and getting the pony wheels done which have been in their workshop for some time on a special lathe they have up there.  Despite these things our loyal band of volunteers have continued with preparing parts for installation – see photographs.  Hopefully our fitter will be back in action soon and we do wish him well in his recovery.  Finally, congratulations to Tony, Baz, Harry and all those involved in returning J549 to service – we hope we are not too far behind! As always if you want to be involved in the project please contact John Hoy (0419 372 696) and Peter Lorenz (0429 961 150).

J549 – Update 61 – Almost Done

A photo is worth a thousand words and the above proves that.

Rather than focussing on what has been achieved we have reached the point of saying what is left to do.

The biggest tasks left are to put in the table plate, baffles and spark arrestor grids in the smokebox and rebuild the timber floor in the cab on the fireman’s side. That’s all expected to be done this week.

Then we will steam test the engine with the aim of that being this week with test runs to then follow likely next week.

J549 – Update 60

ACHIEVEMENTS TO – 19 April 2024.

Tasks completed in the last week have been:

• The boiler/cab painting was completed.
• Headlight and front marker lights have been installed.
• Wiring of the tender was completed.
• Wiring of the loco was commenced to be completed 1 May.
• More work on Installation of cab fittings.
• The covers for the main steam delivery pipes to the valves/cylinders have been completed and are being painted.

The loco resplendent in its new coat of black.

CURRENT PRIORITIES –

• Final pipework fitting.
• Complete installation of boiler fittings in the cab.
• Complete wiring of the loco.
• Continue with the engine repainting.
• Rebuild the internals of the smokebox.
• Steam test boiler.
• Light engine trials
• Load testing.

Carriage Team April 24 and a Wagon Update

Carriages

The Maldon carriage crew has bee busy in the last couple of months as outlined in the following.

30 BCPL: Internally, the new heavy duty vinyl is being cut to size and laid out in situ. This is nearly complete and from there we will move onto sticking it down. Externally, we detected bubbling of the red paint mainly on the lower timber sections. The major issue seems to be a reaction between paints with the culprit being an undercoat that was applied 10 years ago. Being out in the weather for many years has also been a contributing factor. The station side has now been repainted while the goods shed side is now ready for the red paint again.

61BW: The side facing the Goods Shed has been fully sanded and undercoated. Some further woodwork repairs will be required but the critical need is to get the raw timber sealed. The station side has also been sanded and should see undercoat in the next few weeks. The roof is ready for recanvassing, but funds are not yet available for this to commence. While progress is slow, 61 looks much better than the graffitied unit that it was last year. Tony with help from Shaun has rebuilt and recovered the first seat base which has been refitted and looks fantastic as can be seen in the photo.

Above – 30 BCPL new vinyl flooring and below the recovered 61BW seat base.

193 HD Wagon

This wagon has been inspected and been repainted in the last month at Castlemaine to be used as a match wagon on the screw coupled XYZ set instead of 74HD as well as on the driver experience goods set.

J549 – Update 59

Coming up this week we hope to get the boiler barrel painted and the wiring installed on the loco, so last week was a big push to get the pipework installed on boiler outside the cab. A big effort has gone into getting that pipework aligned and as straight as possible and this is time consuming work.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO – 12 April 2024.

Tasks completed in the last week have been:

• Pipework on the boiler barrel is now almost complete
• Installation of cab fittings is nearing completion.

The distributing valve and its associated pipework all installed. Note that we have had the triple, relay and release valves all overhauled.

More fitting on the boiler backhead in the cab

The pipework installed on the fireman’s side.

CURRENT PRIORITIES –

• Complete fitting all the pipework.
• Complete with installation of boiler fittings in the cab.
• Wiring of the loco.
• Continue with the engine repainting.
• Complete the covers for the steam delivery pipes.
• Rebuild the internals of the smokebox.
• Steam test boiler.

J549 – Update 58 – Getting closer

Again a reminder for all donors to please check their emails. If you have not received an email about load test trains then please email tony at tony.llewelyn@vgr.com.au so we can update our records to keep you informed directly. We have a few donors that we do not have email addresses or phone numbers for.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO – 5 April 2024.

Tasks completed in the last week have been:

• The loco unit is now back in the workshop having had all the springes reinstalled.
• Painting has continued with the red on the buffer beam and running boards completed.
• Installation of cab fittings is well underway.
• Running of various pipework is underway.
• The brake distributing valve has been installed.

The completed painting on the buffer beam and running boards.

Fittings going back on the boiler backhead in the cab

Reinstalling the last spring. The spring is lifted with the chain block onto the jack which then lifts it into position.

CURRENT PRIORITIES –

• Continue with installation of boiler fittings in the cab.
• Complete the covers for the steam delivery pipes.
• Continue fitting all the pipework.
• Rebuild the internals of the smokebox.
• Continue with the engine repainting.
• Steam test boiler.

K160 UPDATE – MARCH 2024

The Steamrail open day weekend went very well with tremendous interest shown on the K160 restoration.  Many thanks to the volunteers that attended our K160 stall.  The attached photos show the work done by our fitter during March.  He has recently done the measurements for the axle boxes and this technical work will now proceed in the next couple of weeks and once done we will be in a position to put the driving wheels under the frame.  As always our loyal team of volunteers continue with their work in preparing parts to be fitted to the loco.  Now that the Steamrail weekend has passed we are putting together a plan to get all outstanding tasks done with a view to returning the loco to service as quickly as possible. As always if you want to be involved in the project please contact John Hoy (0419 372 696) and Peter Lorenz (0429 961 150).

Buffed Horn and Wedge

Defects ground back

Horn measurements on Frame

Measuring Wedges

New Cab Floor Plate

New Plat for lower Cab side

Removed Piston Rod Packing

Repairing Spring Buckles

Test Fit Deflector Plate

Wear defects on Horn & Wedge

J549 – Update 57

Attention Donors

Again a reminder for all donors to please check their emails. If you have not received an email about load test trains last week then please email tony at tony.llewelyn@vgr.com.au so we can update our records to keep you informed directly. We have a few donors that we do not have email addresses or phone numbers for.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO – 29 March 2024.

Tasks completed in the last week have been:

• Checking of the axle boxes was completed.
• Manufacture of the covers for the steam delivery pipes to the valves continues.

Harry straightening an axle box keep plate.

CURRENT PRIORITIES –

• Reinstall springs.
• Continue with installation of boiler fittings in the cab.
• Complete the covers for the steam delivery pipes.
• Refit all the pipework.
• Rebuild the internals of the smokebox.
• Continue with the engine repainting.
• Steam test boiler.

J549 – Update 56

Attention Donors

Could all donors please check their emails. If you have not received an email about load test trains then please email tony at tony.llewelyn@vgr.com.au so we can update our records to keep you informed directly. We have a few donors that we do not have email addresses or phone numbers for.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO – 22 March 2024.

Tasks completed in the last 2 weeks or so have been:

• The smokebox has been painted – done about 3 weeks ago.
• Manufacture of the covers for the steam delivery pipes to the valves continues.
• Cleaning of the “gunge” inside the frames.
• Inspection of the axles and bearings and the wool pads has been the focus occur and with 4 of the 8 completed no major problems have been found (to date).

Harry under the engine showing the springs removed as the first stage of dropping the axle boxes.

View of the axle and bearing surfaces.

The wool pads in the bottom of the axle boxes, a lot of water was found in these so they are having the water removed and cleaned and wool pads replaced as needed.

CURRENT PRIORITIES –

• Complete inspection of axle box pads.
• Complete the covers for the steam delivery pipes.
• Continue with installation of boiler fittings in the cab.
• Refit all the pipework.
• Rebuild the internals of the smokebox.
• Continue with the engine repainting.
• Steam test boiler.

J549 – Update 55

ACHIEVEMENTS TO – 8 March 2024.

Tasks completed have been:

• The cylinder covers installation has been completed.
• Boiler band installation is underway.
• Manufacture of the covers for the steam delivery pipes to the valves is well underway.
• Loco moved to loco shed over pit to enable the axle boxes to be dropped and the wool pads inspected/replaced if needed  and check that no sand from the sandblasting has entered them.

Sorry no photos for this update.

CURRENT PRIORITIES –

• Complete inspection of axle box pads.
• Complete the covers for the steam delivery pipes.
• Continue with installation of boiler fittings in the cab.
• Refit all the pipework.
• Rebuild the internals of the smokebox.
• Continue with the engine repainting.
• Steam test boiler.