Progress Report: March 2010
With the recent increase in working party members, progress on the restoration of 7200
is moving ahead at sure and steady pace. The replacement of the top front decking and
cleating is now complete, and will be bolted down as soon as all work around the cylinder
area is completed.
The valves have now been totally refurbished, which has included: a total strip down,
cleaning all parts, new snap rings (all other rings being serviceable), and the front and
rear sleeves reground ready to be fitted.
Both valve bores have been cleaned and honed ready to receive the refurbed valves, with
new sleeve bushes which are being made by Peter Davies to fit the valve chest covers, with
Didcot having kindly supplied the pattern for the front valve tail covers, we will be donating
a pair to the Saint project this will allow us to box the up valves once all machine work is
completed.
Pistons have been delivered to Tyseley to have the rods reground, as we do not have a
lathe large enough at Quainton to take the massive 19” diameter heads; they will also be making
two sets of new rings. On completion, and once the slide bars, which have also been reground to
a new condition, have been fitted, the pistons will fitted and boxed up.
The crossheads are away having new gudgeon pins made. This is a complicated job, which has
to be done with great precision as the pins take all the force of both piston and the
little end of the connecting rods. The pins will be fitted to the pistons once the white
metalling has been completed.
Les Beaton is turning the new brass bearings for the rockers. Mike Gibbs is nearing
completion of the valve links; this has been a monumental task from having the four billets
forged at John Heskiths in Bury, who are no longer in business after 150 years due to H/S
and the local council.
Keith and Marcheta, a husband and wife team who, having completed the front top decking
under the guidance of Peter Davies, have now moved on to refurbishing the front sanding
system; this, I am sure, will be to the same high standard as the decking. Jason Spicer when
not carrying out his crew training duties is finishing off the axle box lubricators and
sorting out the pipe work and “yes” gas fittings.
Being fortunate enough to have had several donations made to the trust we are presently
looking for contractors to carry out the task of rebuilding the bunker and making new
side-tanks. These are tasks which are beyond our skill levels, in welding and riveting but I am sure
you will agree it will take the project another step forward.
With Easter coming up most of the team will be helping on the Thomas events, so we may
fit in a few Wednesdays to make up for the lost weekends.
New members are always welcome, and there is always plenty to do.
Chris Parr
