An update from Toddington

Like much of 2020, all has been quiet on the GWSR Steam Blog for the last few weeks. Unfortunately, none of Team Blog live close enough to the GWSR to be regular members of the working parties that are still maintaining the running fleet during this lockdown. As a result, we, like you, are solely reliant on the updates provided by our network of sources and spies (and the odd social media post!). Hopefully we’ll be able to bring you more as we move towards reopening again, but for now, the team in ‘Camp 7903’ have sent through an update about what’s been going on for them in January and February.

First and foremost, there is the preparation of 7903 for its annual boiler exam and general winter maintenance. With all the boiler plugs removed and cleaned and the boiler washed out, as well as the firebox and smokebox cleaned, 7903 is ready for her cold inspection. 35006 and 7820 have already had their cold exams. (Editor's note - hot exams for 7820 and 7903 were completed yesterday!)

We've also been fitting four new sections of injector delivery pipe, two per side. There are three sections of pipe per side that feed water from the injector(s) by the bottom cab steps up to the safety valve on top of the boiler. The first two sections are steel as per Swindon design and the third section rolling up over the barrel is Copper. However, in preservation the steel pipes have corroded internally due to the engine spending more time out of use. In BR days, the engines would have spent more time in steam and therefore corrosion would have been less of an issue.

A look inside one of the old injector delivery pipes

When you put the injector on some of that rust and corrosion breaks free, and its next stop is the safety valve clack. This clack (non-return valve for those like myself who are less familiar/still learning the lingo) is made of bronze. The steel rust particles play havoc and damage the seat and valve itself, causing it to leak steam.

By replacing the steel pipes with copper, the corrosion will be eliminated and “hey presto” no more leaking clacks. This is a very common practise done in preservation nowadays. By the time these are painted and refitted you will not know they are actually copper! The fireman’s side is already complete and we managed to finish the last section for the drivers side in late January. The other reason BR probably used steel was this is thick gauge copper pipe and so a tad more expensive than steel to say the least!

Fitting and testing the fireman’s side delivery pipe 

We also have just a couple of little snippets to whet your appetite on the Welfare Building. We are hoping to run a full ‘opening day’ pictorial splash as and when, so keep your eyes peeled until then!

As mentioned previously in this blog, a new Signing on desk has been made thanks to Eddie Paton in Carriage & Wagon, and Alex Caulfield has beautifully sign-written us an accompanying sign. The Desk is currently awaiting installation but I think we all agree they have done a brilliant job. (Alex, I know, lurks around on here occasionally so thank you Alex!)

The new desk, ready and waiting

We have also installed an Eye wash station in the upstairs wash area for those odd bits of dust and dirt that we occasionally get. Goggles and other safety equipment is always used, but as anyone who has suffered with a ‘smut in the eye’ will know, they can sneak up on you out of nowhere!

Hopefully won't be needing this, but better to be safe than sorry

Lastly, a taster of the new concrete unloading road. The second big pour has been done and we’re awaiting the rest. The road will have three rows of drainage to take away any water, and it will make life so much easier for both steam and diesel departments, walking on a proper concrete surface without valleys of puddles. One more big pour is needed to finally take the road to the yard gate, and we hope this will be done soon, weather permitting. There will also be period lighting lanterns similar to those we have already fitted to the Old Goods shed to go on down the new building. We’re getting closer to completion by the week.

A much easier walk to the ash pit and back when disposing! 

That's all for now, folks!

Bryony