Dropping the Peckett

Today has seen one of our long-term projects take a major step forward. Peckett 1970 'Ashington No.5' was removed from traffic at the end of 2018 and lifted off its wheels in April 2019 in order to carry out a thorough bottom end overhaul. Unfortunately, this overhaul was then delayed by the pandemic and several other projects which have taken precedence in recent years. 

As a result, ACC5 has been up on blocks at the bottom of the workshop for the past 5 1/2 years with CIC No.10 remaining in-situ to act as a barrier vehicle. During this time, the Peckett has had new crosshead slippers and new side rod bushes fabricated, new axlebox and horn guide wear plates welded on, new horn guide bolts, new axlebox lubrication pipework, its brake rigging and spring hangers bored out and re-pinned, its tyres turned and its wheels, rods, frames and buffer beams repainted (not an exhaustive list!).

Seen here in late August 2024 prior to being lowered back onto its wheels.

Aaran building a packing tower.

With the wheels rolled under, the front end is carefully lowered down onto blocks.

Coming down.

The back end on the jacks being lowered down onto blocks.

After repeating a few times, the engine is back on its wheels.

Michael on the deck...

and Aaran underneath re-fitting the springs.

Now no longer required as a barrier vehicle, Richard and Michael pose with No.10 after it is hauled out of the workshop for the first time since 2019.