September 2026

In September, work continued on loco 30076 at Shillingstone. The remaining welding was completed on the fireman's side water tank, and preparation for painting and repairs continued on the sander domes, the steam dome cover, and the balance pipe. Bolts were removed from the driver’s side spectacle glass frame and holes were drilled.

On Thursday September 3rd, at Plym Valley Railway, 30075's safety valves were refitted, and the crew largely cured the leaking balance pipe. John Drew delivered a ton of coal which was offloaded. Later, a steam test was carried out, showing that the refitted safety valves were leak free and were working satisfactorily, and that the boiler was generally in good shape. We plan another working day at Plym Valley to sort recently identified issues which include a repair to a spring hanger, and sorting the leaks to the balance pipe, for which a pair of new copper gaskets have been acquired.

At Shillingstone, two buffers (one from 30076, and the other recently returned from 30075, at Plym Valley) were dismantled, revealing defective springs, which will be need to be replaced. 30076’s steam and sander domes were prepared for painting. Holes were drilled and tapped for the new bottom securing bolts of one of 30076’s side tanks. The buffer beams were undercoated and repairs were made to the rear buffer beam, where it had been distorted as the result of a historic heavy shunt. The remaining cab sections continue to be dismantled and a start has been made to grind the welds off the 150 firebox tubes.