Further Workshop Activity

10/07/2008

The Autumn Gala Weekend is rapidly approaching, and the race is on to provide different motive power for, what we hope will be the biggest steaming weekend in RSR's history

Agecroft No.2 has been out of traffic recently whilst awaiting a boiler washout and preparation for it's annual boiler examination. This should be taking place in the very near future to allow John Howe a break from traffic after it's 100th Birthday celebrations. Whilst the loco was out of traffic, a new stainless steel regulator rod end was fitted to cure a long-running issue with packing being blown out. John Howe is scheduled to appear during the gala, as is Gasbag - probably making it's last appearance for some time as the engine will be taken out of traffic for boiler work

However, over in the workshop, work is still progressing on the final troubleshooting and running in trials for HE3155 "Walkden", which should be available for traffic by the gala. Perhaps a surprise entry into the event would be another Sentinel - 9373 "St Monans" - The engine last steamed back in the early 1990s at Southport, and was withdrawn following a superheater element failure. Work is progressing apace to rebuild the 100hp loco in time for the event, with the boiler being re-tubed, a new main steam pipe installed and the manufacture of a new superheater element. It'll be close, but check back for progress updates.

Meanwhile, if you're wondering what goes on at our Steam Gala events, a quick trawl on YouTube recently unearthed this video from our Spring Gala