During June, work continued on 30076. The removal of the studs in the smokebox was completed and the ends of the rear buffer beam have been cut off to reduce the width. The side tanks continue to be abraded to remove the old paint and one of the old sign plates has been removed. The front buffers were undercoated. The rear buffers were removed and a start made rubbing them down. The cab doors received a further undercoat, and the new wooden tops have been attached. It is prop

On 30076, work in the shelter has focused on the side tanks — channels have been welded into place, tack welding has progressed, and primer paint has been applied. Derusting has been ongoing throughout. Both side tanks have now been temporarily refitted to the loco using the Railway’s excavator, driven by John Drew, to check clearances. A pair of surplus information plates were unbolted from the tank side at the same time. In the smokebox, removal of the rusted-in bolts from

Project 62 - April 2025 April has been a productive month for 30076, with some satisfying milestones reached by the end of it. Work on the side tanks has been the steady drumbeat throughout - welding up holes, cutting out sections, grinding back excess weld, and de-rusting, progressing week on week in the shelter. Outside, the big moment came on 29 April when the bunker finally came off. It had been gradually worked loose over the course of the month - bolt holes welded up, t

March got off to a purposeful start, with the team’s attention split between the ongoing overhaul of 30076 and preparations for the Steam Up weekend. In the shelter, needle gun derusting of 30076’s side tanks was well underway, alongside welding of the channels that will carry the sander pipes. Outside, 30075 was given a thorough clean and moved into position at the down platform, ready to welcome footplate visitors over the coming weekend. 30076 was positioned near the shelt