March

Firstly I must start off with an apology for the lack of news updates. I know we always say this, however 2011 has been an exceptionally busy year for the loco and its group of stalwart volunteers.

The 09th March 2011 was a massive milestone in the history of the Spa Valley Railway and The 37254 Fund alike. The day we had all been waiting for, the first train into Eridge! 37254 was lucky enough to scoop this turn with an officers special conveying Network Rail personal. The train ran with the Class 101 trailer leaving Tunbridge Wells West around 0930 returning back in the early afternoon after completing two return trips to the Terminus.

The Loco has been in action nearly everyday throughout March working the 2Z01 TWW-Eridge route learning trips. The most action the locomotive has seen since withdrawal by BR back in 1998. The intensive use is proving to be good for the loco with reliability still staying up at the 100 percent mark!

254 also worked some of the first service trains seeing action on the opening day!

Now that we are running along side the mainline and increasing engine hours we have decided to review our maintenance procedures. Chris Barrow has done a lot of behind the scenes work writing Vehicle Maintenance Instructions (VMI’s) for all exam tasks, not a two minute job! We are currently in the process of moving towards balanced B exams rather than the traditional BR A-G Exams. This means all exam tasks are completed gradually over the B1-B12 cycle improving reliability.

The loco is currently undergoing an A exam with minor fault rectification taking place too. A more detailed plan of future maintenance activities is currently being drawn up. More details to follow soon…

Our bogie overhaul is still progressing steadily off site. The axle boxes have been repaired by ‘The Kent & East Sussex Railway’ under contract. The equalising beams are due to be NDI tested on the 11th April. We are also currently seeking quotes for the manufacture of 14 new brake cylinders (2 spares). The next job is to get the bearings examined before the mammoth rebuild task can take place, any volunteers ;-)?