Steam Department

A very brief, late and uncertain blog this week.

A great deal of effort has been invested and some very long hours put in over the last ten days.  I am currently on a short break having got home at 10 p.m. yesterday and preparing to return early this afternoon.  Many others in the team have been there as well.

All this effort means that there is hope but not certainty at this time.  To run this weekend we need to be able to steam and pass a brake and safety valve test under the oversight of our FRA inspector tomorrow.

Everything aside from the smokebox ring casting is complete.  After efforts yesterday she is even fully coaled and watered ready to light up.  All the testing and preparation short of lighting up has been done.

The hope is to complete the brazing and remount the ring this evening and then light her up to warm up overnight for the testing tomorrow.

If we do not get the ring back on or if anything fails in testing we will not be able to run.  However, the fact that we are investing the hours we will do today and tomorrow clearly indicates that we believe there is a reasonable prospect of success and our commitment to run this weekend if it is possible to do so.

Yesterday she stood on the service lead being prepared for the weekend.

Out on the service lead

She has coal loaded enough for the whole weekend

Full of coal

But this is what we have to complete.

But one job to do