Swanage Railway News Gallery

Swanage Railway News Gallery - Page 16

Southern Locomotives 80078 boiler work - March 1998

Report and photographs by S Kerley and APM Wright 30th March 1998

Work on restoring Southern Locomotives Ltd’s second ex-BR Standard Class 4 Tank is still on target to be completed by the end of the year when the £150,000 project should see No. 80078 steam triumphantly out of Swanage.

Standard Class 4 Tank 80078 boiler lift 5th March 1998 - APMW

After No. 80078’s boiler - really that of sister Southern Locomotives engine No. 80104 - was in the frames so that other works could be carried out to the engine in preparation for the boiler’s final fitting to the frames, the boiler was lifted out of the frames by a hire crane.

Standard Class 4 Tank 80078 and 6696 rewheeled chassis 5th March 1998 - APMW

Lying on its side, the boiler will now be the subject of several months work: including the replacement of all the foundation ring rivets, some 2,000 stay nuts, all patch screws and the installation of the boiler tubes.

Due for delivery to Swanage’s Herston engineering works during April, No. 80078’s two side water tanks are currently being made from scratch by a team on the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton between Bath and Bristol.

The team is making history because it’s thought to be the first time that a new set of Standard Class 4 Tank water tanks has been made entirely from new.

The locomotive’s coal bunker has been installed but still in need of some repairs. "Our full-time and volunteer restorers have been doing an excellent job under co-ordinator Willie Bath. Progress has been quite remarkable and very inspiring," said Southern Locomotives Ltd’s Steve Kerley.

Standard Class 4 Tank 80078 5th March 1998 - APMW

On the chassis, both pistons have been installed with their sidebars and crossheads. That has allowed the connecting rods to be put up along with the side rods. The piston valves and valve motion have also been fitted and put up.

The vacuum system is also complete. Work has also been going well on the firebox cladding, the boiler cladding support structure and the smokebox which has had its door fitted.

Enquiries to Steve Kerley on (01202) 772894.