Foremarke Hall latest

It's a month now since the last update on the winter maintenance programme being carried out on Foremarke Hall.  John Cruxon, Foremarke Hall's locomotive manager has kindly provided an update on where things are at the moment:

"Saturday 2nd February saw the buffer swap, then several members of the steam dept needle gunned the buffer beam back to bare metal, before it was given a coat of anti-corrosive primer. It will soon be finished painted, but it is too cold at the moment. The displaced buffer is undergoing refurbishment in my garage at home."

"You will also see the buffer beam is in primer with one red buffer. The red buffer is an overhauled buffer to replace one that looked as though the spring was suspect.

Wednesday the 6th February, George Forrest took John Hancock and myself to Tyseley to collect the new valve assemblies and various other bits.

Saturday 9th February saw a massive team of members help to refit the valves and pistons and start the reconnection process.

Wednesday 13th February saw the completion of the majority of the work to reconnect the pistons and valves to the motion."

"Saturday the 16th February will involve the checking of the valve timing to ensure the motion is timed correctly to the pistons etc. Once the timing is complete the few remaining bits can be fitted and the engine prepared for her first steam test."