Capstan Lathe Coolant Pump Re-build

This past weekend, Steve and Tom removed and dismantled the coolant pump for the Capstan Lathe.

With re-wiring works being taken care of by Alan and Gordon, Steve and Tom have their eyes on other components which they want to make sure work as good once the coolant pump is re-assembled and working.

Re-Wiring work on Ward Capstan Lathe

Alan, Steve and Gordon have began to re-wire the electrics within the Ward No.2 Capstan Lathe.

An acquisition by one of the Workshop Volunteers, the lathe will be used (once up and running) to reproduce large numbers of bolts, nuts, etc. in a quicker time than using either of the Colchester lathes already in the workshop. 

Tool Cabinet Finishing Touches

The freshly painted tool cabinets are now complete, with plywood tops for protection against damage during tool storage.

 

With the plywood precisely cut to size, both standard and coach bolts hold the respective cabinet tops in place.

On-Site Maintenance

This weekend there have been a couple of jobs completed that have been outstanding for a few weeks now.

With members of the Youth Group cleaning and tidying the oil store out, Cameron has replaced the rotary hand pumps in the oil drums for lever-action hand pumps, making dispensing oil and paraffin more efficient and less messy.

With a new Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system installed in the Joiners Shop, Michael and John complete the construction of exhaust ductwork to numerous wood working machines.

With the Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) in service for LEV installation duties, Michael took the time to inspect the Pit Road roller shutter door due to reports of brief periods of faulty operation. No reportable works were required so operational problems ma have been due to the recent cold weather.

Finally, Ben was found in the Guard's Compartment removing the shelving from Elf Express in preparation to set-up the 'Guard's Van Shop' ready for the start of the 2026 running season.

New Workshop Tool Cabinets

 The workshop has received a donation of three workshop cabinets.

The work to rejuvenate the appearance of the cabinets has been the job of Cameron, with removal of the old paint and painting again to be done. Michael has completed welding work on the legs to make the cabinets more sturdy.

Colours of blue, red and green have been chosen as new paint job is required.

Over the coming weeks, workshop and machine tools will populate the cabinets

Removal of sandboxes and handbrake from Sentinel 9559

 Aaran and Michael have been busy in the workshop continuing on removing components from the frames of Sentinel 9559, today was the focused on the handbrake and sandboxes.

The front driver's side sand box removed from the frames.

After removing one of the split pins and the die block from the handbrake Aaran appears from under the locomotive as Michael unwinds the handbrake out from the handbrake post.

The view of the brake rigging that was once connected to the handbrake.

Light at the end of the tunnel for Consett No.10

 The installation of new wiring in Consett No.10 is closing in on completion. Today Nev, Paul and Neil were testing the cabling which supplies power to the front headlight, rear light and master switch.

With the cab light switched on, it confirms that power is being supplied. On the right, the red light on the master switch glows, indicating that the locomotive is ready to be started.

Peckett Ashington No.5 brass bush making

George is in the process of making new small-end bushes for connecting rods for Ashington No.5. Above he can be seen turning the outside diameter of the bush to within a couple of thousands of an inch of the existing.

Similar to that of the existing, he marks the position for 3 holes to be drilled to enable oil to flow into the push to provide lubrication whilst the locomotive is in motion. He does this be positioning the jaws of the chuck parallel with the tool and inscribes a mark at 120 degree intervals.

One of the new small-end bushes that has been test fitted onto one of the small-end pins - with the existing sat to the right.

Miniature Railway track fabrication

 Steve and Alan have began the fabrication of the section of track for the miniature railway that will serve as the crossing over the pedestrian footpath that leads to the platform at Middle Engine Lane.

    Measuring and squaring the first of the sleepers.

The hand sketch showing a section through the track that will be placed below ground level enabling the miniature engines to cross the pedestrian footpath without creating a trip hazard for visitors.

Work begins and continues on Sentinel W/No.9559

Before the New Year, Aaran and Robert began the process of removing nuts and bolts from Sentinel W/No.9559 frames in preparation for the removal of the bonnet and tank cover, bunker, cab and roof.

Aaran hammering a chisel underneath the rear of the cab to free it from the running board.

Robert cuts the head off one of the bolts holding the down the rear of the cab to the rear buffer beam to enable the rear of the cab and bunker to be lifted off.

Now in the present, and with the Sentinel moved into the workshop, work continued to remove the superheater from the boiler to enable inspection of the boiler tubes and inside of the boiler.

Michael (L) and Robert (R) guiding an lifting the superheater and chimney from inside the boiler.

Michael reaching into the inside of the boiler to remove remains of debris that have sat in their for a few years.

Ex-boilersmith Bob carrying out his preliminary inspection of the boiler. Here he is seen reaching into the boiler to get a closer look to inspect the boiler tubes.

Robert in the process of removing a split pin from the foot operated pedal which is situated on the cab floor.

The front section of the cab sat in the workshop in the process of being fully needle gunned before priming, painting and fitting back on the locomotive.

Michael marks the cut outs required for the new running board plate for the driver's side of the cab. The only section was wasted in places and no longer sat flush with the cab floor.

Marks made for cutting out to fit around the buffer beam, reverser quadrant and reverser.

Robert applies the first coat of red oxide primer to the running board angle.

Tool Talk

David, the railway's Engineering and Operations Manager, delivering a tool box talk to some of our younger volunteers on the topic of safe angle grinder use.

Carriage Charger Stands

 

Davey has been busy in the workshop recently working on a set of stands for the new carriage battery chargers, seen above after a fresh coat of grey paint.

Sleeper Wall Construction

Today volunteers have began constructing a sleeper wall to create a new storage compound for track materials.

Shotblaster servicing

Richard has recently been carrying out repairs and servicing to the workshops shotblaster

 

Chock painting

Couple new wheel chocks, along with an old one at the back, after receiving their final top coat of red

 

Lamp replacement on the lathe

Dai replacing the bulb in the lathes lamp this afternoon

 

De-vegetation course

Volunteers have been on a de-vegetation course this morning. Jonny from NSS leads the course

Explaining the various machines

Richard being assessed on the brush cutter

John operating the brush cutter to clear bushes around a tree to be felled

Jonny talking through the cut

 

Belt replacement on the donkey saw

Michael removing the rather perished belt from the donkey saw

Replaced with a new belt, up and running again

 

Oil pump

Recently acquired oil pump, as arrived and before sanding

After being sanded down it was given a coat of primer

Followed by undercoat

And finally top coat