PROGRESS REPORT ON EX-GWR LOCOMOTIVE No 6695 AT THE WILLITON WORKSHOPS APRIL/MAY 2008

Photo Report from Nigel Clark - dated 17th April 2008 and updated 5th May with additional photos
6695 Locomotive Group
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Ex-GWR 0-6-2T locomotive No. 6695 in the workshops at Williton in April 2008

Nigel Clark writes:

Here is an update on recent activity on ex-GWR 0-6-2T locomotive No. 6695 together with photographs showing the engineering work taking place.

We have had several 6695 Group working parties to Williton, generally comprising myself, Ollie Furnell and Ann Mitchell, and additionally Brian House, Dave Round, Trevor Hargreaves, and Dave Cash.

No. 6695's Buffer Beam before and after at the Williton workshops in April 2008

Work undertaken has encompassed general maintenance, cleaning up of the wheelsets plus repainting of the buffer beams (when the light green primer was applied rumours spread that we were applying BR two-tone green so as to be able to appear at diesel galas!!!!).

No. 6695's crown bearing castings being machined at the Williton workshops in April 2008

The new crown bearing castings have arrived and are now being machined ready for white metalling and fitting, the radial wheelset has returned form Bridgnorth following skimming of the thrust faces, and work is underway on the revised lubrication system. Unfortunately the delay in delivery of the crown bearings has put-back '95s anticipated arrival back home, to Swanage which is now likely to be sometime in late June.

From left to right, axlebox awaiting new horn liner plates, horn face marked up for grinding, and newly ground horn faces.

Update 18th April 2008

Additional photos from Geoff Evens of West Somerset Restoration at Williton show the axlebox crown bearings in an advanced state of machining.

6695's axlebox crown bearings in an advanced state of machining.
Photos courtesy Geoff Evens, West Somerset Restoration, Williton

Update 5th May 2008

Additional photos from Geoff Evens of West Somerset Restoration at Williton show the axlebox crown bearings in a much more advanced state of machining. The grooves on the surface will assist the final whitemetal coating to adhere to the bronze.

6695's axlebox crown bearings in an advanced state of machining.
Photos courtesy Geoff Evens, West Somerset Restoration, Williton

Swanage Railway's 6695 Locomotive Group always welcomes help and support. For further details of how to join us and to see further information on the specification and history of 6695, please visit our dedicated homepage at http://swanagerailway.co.uk/6695/index.htm by clicking here. You will find background information on the locomotive and links to all 6695 news items.

Nigel Clark
6695 Locomotive Group