THIS WEEKS ACHIEVEMENTS – week ending 22 September 2023.
Tasks competed this week were:
Further hydro testing up to 130psi.. Still a way to go as we have to get to 225psi test pressure.
More work by Baz, Harry and assistants in re-beading and re-expanding tubes.
The oil tank heat coil was repaired and re-installed.
Installation of the regulator assembly which included a lot of adjustments to the mechanism – we now have a lot better operation and fit of all the parts.
More undercoating of the engine and tender.
Below are some photos of the regulator installation.
CURRENT PRIORITIES –
Hydro static test of boiler to 225psi
Seal welding of the new tubes after successful hydrostatic test.
THIS WEEKS ACHIEVEMENTS – week ending 14 September 2023.
Tasks competed this week were:
More hydro testing up to 130psi – we now have dry firebox and smokebox tubeplates at this pressure. Still a way to go as we have to get to 225psi test pressure.
Lots of effort (literally) by Baz, Harry and assistants in re-expanding tubes.
Removal and repair of the heating coil from the oil tank so we can fix the hole in it.
Started fitting the “chicken” wire mesh on the outside of the boiler – more info below.
More undercoating of the engine and tender by our painter (Fletcher).
130 psi on the newly (in January) calibrated steam gauge.
The dry firebox tubeplate above and smokebox below.
The Pipe heat unit with the steam heat coil on the left. This heating coil sits in the pipe on the right which is full of the oil as it makes it way to the burner. The coil looks to be in very solid condition but we will pressure test it just to make sure. We don’t think this has been looked at since when the engine was in service with the VR. We had to remove it to have space to get in with the rivet guns for the firebox patch.
The tank heat coil. This had a hole in the end of the pipe at the top and we have just shortened it a bit to get it back to good metal. The coil is designed for heavy bunker C fuel which we don’t use and is therefore way over-rated for use with waste sump oil.
THE CHICKEN WIRE.
We are trialing the fitting of chicken wire over the outside of the boiler prior to installing the insulation. This to provide an air space between the insulation and the boiler shell, with the hope this allows the boiler shell and insulation to dry better and thereby reduce corrosion. This was a tip we have received from Puffing Billy who have found it has worked well on their boilers.
THE RUMOUR MILL
Yes we have discussed the merits of doing away with super heating on our engines including the J, but the J will be returned with superheating.
Given the undulating nature of our line with short steaming sections and the effort needed to maintain the superheater elements, we believe the superheat probably provides little if any benefit for the maintenance effort. But we will consider this some more, not least because it will take some effort to re-construct the steam delivery system to do away with the superheater header. The most likely candidate for this approach at this time will be a D3 when we get to restore it.
CURRENT PRIORITIES –
Hydro static test of boiler to 225psi
Seal welding of the new tubes after successful hydrostatic test.
THIS WEEKS ACHIEVEMENTS – week ending 1 September 2023.
Tasks competed this week were:
It was all about completing the firebox patch, involving welding in, installing the six rivets in the foundation ring and the two wall stays.
Here’s some photos of the new plate for the firebox patch installation. Sorry no action shots as no camera operator was on hand and all hands were busy doing the work.
New plate being welded in with the holes for the rivets and stays. The bolts were temporary for welding in the new plate only.
Heating a rivet.
The completed repair inside the firebox.
The view on the outside. Note the old rivets you can see in the middle of the new ones only hold the mudhole door to the outer plate and don’t go through the foundation ring -its double thickness plate in that area.
New rivets along the back.
The new rivets along the side.
CURRENT PRIORITIES –
Hydro static test of boiler.
Seal welding of the new tubes after successful hydrostatic test.
VGR Mechanical Blog 