....so screamed Dr. Frankenstein when his monster started to move, and it is a bit of a similar feeling when a locomotive belches back into life after a long overhaul. The weekend just gone was the turn of Class 26, D5343 to get a first start up in nearly 2 and a half years and a significant engine overhaul.
If you cast your mind back to early 2020, before the world went temporarily insane about a virus, the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group were preparing D5343 for a visit to the Somerset and Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton when it was identified that the liner seals in the engine were leaking significantly and needed replacing.
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| Back in early 2020 our HoD, Andy D, helps to ease out a liner from the block of D5343. |
At the same time the group decided to combine the engine work with a bodywork overhaul. The ravages of the Cotswold weather had caused quite a bit of deterioration to the bodywork and it's supporting metal work, despite original restoration only being finished in 2013. BRCW locos and rolling stock were well known for their tendency for rot and corrosion, and their Scottish service life didn't help.
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| As can be seen from this picture showing one of the cabs of D5343, the state of the metalwork on the loco was pretty shocking. |
Fast forward to the present, and a significant amount of work has got the loco to advanced stages of its overhaul. After having it's engine integrity tested after many parts had been removed, cleaned, repainted and refitted, the loco's Sulzer lump was started for the first time since 2020. The video is from Alex Raybould.
The body work and underframe has also made strides towards completion and it is looking more likely that the loco will make a very welcome return to service in 2023.
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| No. 1 end bogie has now had a full coat of primer, and the body has had it's first coat of blue undercoat. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould) |
Work has also continued apace on Class 37, D6948. The long awaited body lift occurred a few weeks back and the Growler Group team have thrown everything at getting the jobs completed in double quick time. The traction motor brush boxes have all been cleaned and damaged elements replaced from spares - including the dampers. The bogies have had a bit of a wash and brush up, getting rid of some of the dirt and grime, whilst the traction motor gear is to be cleaned through of carbon deposits.
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| From a few weeks back, Paul G and Keith get to grips with removing and replacing the old dampers. Not a job for the faint hearted! |
As the season winds down we see less running for the diesel fleet, with an increase in the DMU running during the week. However, Sunday, 25th September sees Brush Type 4 Fund utilising the PINK timetable to celebrate the 60th birthday of the ubiquitous Class 47.
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| 47105 and 47376 'Freighliner 1995' sit together at Winchcombe during our Santa Specials in 2021. |
