November

254 worked a private charter on the 10 September top and tailed with 33063 for SELG member ‘Toby Grayson’s’ 18th birthday party. The vacuum brakes work like new now we have fitted a bran new AV2 control valve, literally straight from the box, a rarity in railway preservation! This also made the Driver Experience Course a lot more pleasurable on the 12th September.

Chris, Allan, Adrian and the ‘Steam Boys’ are making very good progress with the bogie overhaul. Spring Planks, Equalizing Beams and wheelsets have been rubbed down and painted. Chris dropped all the remaining springs off yesterday (09/11/2009) at Beever Ltd for shot blasting and painting, see photos below.

Dan and myself will be going over to the Spa Valley Railway this week to fill the loco with antifreeze in readiness for the winter and complete an ‘A’ exam to ensure continued availability throughout the year.

More news and photos to follow soon...