January progress.

With the loco having arrived in the shed in mid November, we gave it a few weeks to dry out and assess the condition of the loco and come up with a work programme.  It was decided that we could start by stripping down No2 cab, this included removal of all the fittings like the tail lamp brackets, taillights and safety hoops along with the bonnet side doors and top bonnet doors.

No2 end in the process of being stripped down to aid repairs

A selection of the parts removed from No2 end, all labelled up to what side they belong to, these will be cleaned up, repaired and refitted at a later date.

With the bonnet side doors removed it gave us proper access to fix the bottom of the drip trays, sadly over the years water has got into these and eaten away at the frame supporting these. New steel work has been welded in place and the whole area given a coat of primer

No2 end driver side area getting some primer applied after repairs

The top bonnet doors needed some metal work replacing on them,  it was easier and far safer to remove them off the loco to repair them. With these out of the way, we decided to remove the hinges to thoroughly clean that area up. Its likely that these hinges have never been off the loco since the day it was built.

Driver side of the bonnet top cleaned and primed, attention will then turn to the secondman's side

Sadly some components on the loco are life expired and gone beyond repair, this is the replacement sand box cover for the No2 end drivers side ready to be refitted.

Update 31/01/2026

Today saw the removal of the No2 end window screens, this is being done due to the window rubber being life expired and has gone very brittle with age. Whilst the window are out, attention will turn to the window frames. This will also give us better access to the the more fiddly areas around the window wipers and screen washers. Work has also carried on stripping No1 cab front apart, this end being in far worse condition than No2 end. Attention has also turn to the bodysides, with sections of the body being marked up for replacing over the next few week. The gutter's have also been removed due to being life-expired and in very poor condition, these will be replaced at a later date but in the meantime it gives a good opportunity to clean the area's up. 

With the windows removed out and stored away, the area was rust treated and left to dry

As you can see, sections of the bodywork have seen better days, this area was not helped by the sand box being full of rather wet sand which has contributed to the rot.

The No2 end gangway now cleaned up and painted to help protect it.

The No1 end second man's side, having been rubbed down and primed.

Progress so far, still a long way to go but we are slowly getting there