March 2017 Engineering Report
Health and Safety
First aid training has been carried out by British Red Cross, for fourteen of our permanent staff, including all Engineering staff, on the 27th January. This has renewed the first aid certificates of all those trained.
Permanent Way
Spring Outdoor Week will be carried out between the 25th of February and the 5th March. There is an agreed work list for this week and it is hoped that much will be accomplished. Outdoor long-weekends have continued and are detailed under ‘Outdoor Spot’.
The west end point at Nant Gwernol has had a joggle plate removed and modified to improve the run around. At Abergynolwyn, the west end point turnout was also removed for reworking, having become loose. This has been refitted, but requires a further adjustment. The cattle creep above Quarry Siding has had a new concrete abutment cast.
As you will read elsewhere in this edition of the News, a second successful hedge laying weekend took place on the 28th and 29th of January, dealing with stretches of hedge between Brynglas and Dolgoch. Many thanks to everyone involved with that – the lineside is looking a lot smarter as a result. Many boundary repairs have also been made by Pendre staff, including new gates at Brynyrwest (lower).
Sleepers have been reset in the Dolgoch woods section, using the stone blower. Tamping and track maintenance is continuing as per the inspection sheets. Further down the line, at Hendy bridge, new concrete abutments have been cast at the base of the bridge. A lot of maintenance and refitting has also been carried out in the Cafes at Wharf and Abergynolwyn and both boilers have passed their inspection by British Engineering Services.
Steam Locomotives
Loco No. 1, Talyllyn, has been running well. Recently, it has undergone its annual strip-down and inspection. The ‘hot’ boiler inspection took place (and was passed) on the 20th January. It was carried out by British Engineering services. Loco No. 1 is due it’s ten-year boiler lift and exam in winter 2017.
Loco No. 2, Dologch, was left available for the Christmas service. The ‘cold’ inspection was carried out on 20th January. Loco No. 2 will now be prepared for its ‘hot’ boiler inspection in March.
Loco No. 3, Sir Haydn, continues to progress. A fuller report on its progress can be found elsewhere in this edition of the News. British Engineering services approved the stay hole repair on the 21st of February. The overhaul of the locomotive is still expected to be completed in time to allow Loco No. 3 to return to service at the start of March 2018.
Loco No. 4, Edward Thomas, has been available for service. The ‘hot’ boiler inspection took place on the 20th January.
Loco No. 6, Douglas, has had some new springs fitted. It is expected that this will resolve some of the issues this locomotive had with its springs that were reported on in 2016. The ‘cold’ boiler inspection has been carried out with the ‘hot’ inspection planned to happen in March. The new ratchet assembly for the lubricator has been fitted. In addition, extensive work has been carried out on the motion to reduce side play.
Loco No. 7, Tom Rolt, was left available for Christmas services. It has been running well.
Diesel Locomotives
Loco No. 5, Midlander, has been in regular service and operating without incident.
Loco No. 9, Alf, is running well.
Loco No, 11, Trecwn, has had some upgrade work completed. The air compressor, for the train braking capability has been fitted. This now requires piping in then testing. The engine compartment door will also require modifying to accommodate the compressor
Loco No. 12, St Cadfan, is in service and running well.
Carriage and Wagon
A full report on the activities of the ‘Bodgers’ appears elsewhere. The bogie frames for carriage 22 have a small amount of work left to do while the body of the carriage is in the paint shop. Good progress has been made by volunteer joiners and resources for it’s continuing refurbishment need to be found. Three Eberspacher heating systems have been purchased. We will install these as a matter of priority. We are working on carriage 19, this will continue on the 27th of February.
Building and Civil Engineering
The culvert reinforcement at Ceunant Coch is complete. Work on the abutments on Hendy bridge is also complete.
Plant and Workshop
Tidying up work in the workshop is continuing apace. The Radial drill is out of action, due to the nut that the raise and lower “lead screw” engages with, being badly worn.
The Bob Cat has passed its insurance inspection and is good for another year.
Electrical and S&T
The S&T outdoor week will take place from March 4th. A full program of work for the team has been defined. This covers cable laying, checking all plug-in points up the line and point lubrication, among other things. There is also an extensive winter working list that includes repairing point rods at Quarry Siding, marking cables and terminals and replacing the mains board in the Pendre mess room.
Thank you to all volunteers and permanent staff, for your excellent work and continued support.
Stephen Davis
