Efforts have continued since my last response, however, my job keeps me busy and enthusiasm to post has lessened as I don't feel there is enough interest in posts of 'large scale' projects.
The tender frame was undercoated with grey primer before I owned it to protect the metal although surface rust had developed. I applied paint stripper over the frame and left it for 24 hours:
- IMG_20190927_200736-01.jpeg (410.29 KiB) Viewed 6790 times
To aid grinding the chassis back to metal I dismantled it and got one of the buffer beams cleaned up (not a great picture, the metal is brighter than shown):
- IMG_20191102_203204-01.jpeg (392.68 KiB) Viewed 6790 times
On the loco front, new commercially made safety valves by Blackgates Engineering have been fitted and steam tested. These are 'progressive lift' type which means they don't blow off violently like pop safety valves but still close quickly once pressure has been released:
- IMG_20191005_134259-01.jpeg (297.66 KiB) Viewed 6790 times
Each valve has a locking ring so that once set to blow off at the desired pressure they cannot be tampered with unless the ring is unscrewed.
Also, the reverser has been refitted after extra notches were added:
- IMG_20191005_134247-01.jpeg (320.63 KiB) Viewed 6790 times
And the firebox nuts have been replaced with knurled nuts so they can be easily undone by hand (with gloves) if the fire needs to be removed from the boiler quickly:
- IMG_20191005_134331-01.jpeg (310.07 KiB) Viewed 6790 times
