This weekend at BS4G

Sunday, 31st August, 2025

80097:

After successful testing on Thursday our loco is rostered on Sunday to take out the first service train and later to haul the dining train. She is also rostered to be busy later in the week. Some final fettling of insulation and boiler casing was completed yesterday and a fire was established late in the afternoon in preparation for raising steam for an early start Sunday. 

46428:

Our band of Saturday volunteers have been busy with jobs relating to our Ivatt boiler. The boiler backhead, that's the end of the boiler which the drivers cab encloses, has numerous "mounts". These are "through outer wrapper" fittings which things like gauge glass frames are bolted to. Most of these have corroded threaded studs which must be removed and will be replaced. But first the surfaces need to be machined to give a smooth joint facing surface. We will bring a specialised on-site machining contractor in to do this. If you are, or know any such contractors please let us know. They are very much in demand. 

The foundation ring rivet removal continues. They are nothing like previous rivet removal we have done. There is no room for error. The outer wrapper is scrap but then the ring itself may be re-usable if not cracked. The inner copper firebox is delicate and if damaged will be costly to repair. So  tremendous care must be taken. 

The second of our two new brake beams is in the big lathe and is progressing well.

The reverser bracket casting contractor has been found. Boro Foundry of Stourbridge will be doing this work. 8-12 weeks is the expected turn around. When we get our castings back there is still machining and white-metalling to be done before we can bolt the assemblies onto the loco.

Vanwide:

Our freight van is progressing well. We are expecting body side materials on site soon. I'm sure it will be done to the usual high standards as the rest of our fleet. See pics of stud and rivet removals. Brake beam and Vanwide.

Thank you for your support. Watch this space.