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5305’s Boiler Back in the Frames
After a long (long) time, 5305’s boiler has finally been craned back into her frames. This is a huge milestone in the long job of getting her back into traffic. Now we just (it’s that ‘just’ word again!) need to get the pipework and fittings re-installed, and put the cab back.
As with all the other jobs involved in steam locomotive maintenance, many people have had to work very hard to get the boiler back in the frames; not just the long hard slog of the boiler overhaul itself, there’s also the effort involved in putting the cladding back. Large sheets of cladding metal look light-weight and flimsy compared to the frames, but once you start trying to man-handle them up onto the boiler in the open air you discover that not only are they heavy & awkward, but they also appear to have a mind of their own.
Then there’s the physical effort involved in a craning job. The crane needs to be shunted into position on the shed front, a task which probably involves one of Loughborough’s famous “Mega-shunts”, then the frames need to be brought out of the shed (involving another mega- or possibly giga-shunt). Then the crane needs to be got ready for the lift: placing packings for the feet, winding out the four stabilising legs, lighting the boiler, and heaving the lifting straps into place. Plus, don’t forget, once the lift is finished, you have to put everything away again, which also includes re-filling the crane’s bunker by hand ready for the next craning job.
Many thanks to all those involved in the craning job and to Dave Wright who kindly sent the photos through to 5305la Web Quarters so that I can share them with you despite the fact that the economic imperative meant that I was unavoidably detained at work and wasn’t able to help.
By Info | Thursday, September 23, 2010 | Tags : 45305