February has been a steady month of progress on both the eight-plank wagon and 30075, with work continuing despite the usual winter challenges. The weather has been mixed, with some cold but largely dry days, allowing for good attendance and consistent effort across both projects.
Work on the eight-plank wagon has focused on surface preparation and protective coatings. De-rusting by needle gunning and angle grinding has been ongoing, with areas treated using Jenolite before priming and top coating. Metalwork and timber components have received attention, ensuring they are properly protected ahead of reassembly. The four refurbished buffers have now been refitted, marking another step towards completion.
On 30075, attention has been on pipework installation and preparing for the reinstatement of the side tanks. The steam feed and drain pipes for the injectors have now been fully connected, with further work aligning the clack valve pipework. Some adjustments have been necessary, including minor panel beating to allow for correct fitting. Progress has been methodical, with an eye on ensuring everything is aligned correctly before moving on to the next stage.
Reattaching the side tanks has presented some challenges. When the tanks were removed following the trial steam test, some securing studs were welded in place for better stability. However, this has led to alignment issues with the existing support brackets, with some studs not sitting correctly in their corresponding holes. A couple of these have also been found to be too long, interfering with the bracing arm of one of the brackets. Work has been underway to modify these fittings, allowing for a better fit when the tanks are finally reinstated. This task remains ongoing, with further attempts planned in the coming weeks.
In the background, discussions at the committee meeting earlier in the month confirmed that work priorities remain as follows: first and foremost, completing the overhaul of 30075; secondly, progressing the restoration of the eight-plank wagon; and thirdly, addressing work on 30076 when time and resources allow. These priorities reflect the available workforce, ensuring that work can continue efficiently without unnecessary delays.
Aside from the engineering work, several volunteers attended a First Aid course during the month. Training remains an important part of the project, ensuring that those on site have the necessary skills and knowledge should an incident arise.
Comments