71000 DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Engineering update April 2007

24th February saw us back in action after a long winter maintenance program. This was comprehensive and ambitious and included among the long list of jobs:

Fitting of OTMR
Overhaul of front bogie springs
Safety valve overhaul
21- day washout and examination
Replacement of LH grate carrier
Replacement of outside cylinder piston rings

The firebox has given no more problems, remaining dry and tight. (It is becoming clear that many early problems of tube leakage are probably linked to the crown stay problems allowing substantial flexing of the firebox. The findings on 71000 have had repercussions for other locomotives, and we should look at this as a learning event, it has in the view of our VAB 'potentially averted a disaster elsewhere').

After winter overhaul of the front bogie bearing springs, further adjustments had to be made at York to the set up to get the ride height correct before our trip down to London.

After a clean test of the system by Kevin Tilbury and engineering acceptance being obtained from our VAB, an OTMR unit fault developed during our first outing with the system 'live'. Yours truly removed the unit in the early hours of the morning and lugged it home in his shoulder bag. There was no time to contemplate. The unit needed to be in operation for the 1st of April when it became obligatory and the subsequent 'Great Britain' runs. Arrowdale, the manufacturers responded well diagnosing the fault, soak testing and returning it to us just in time.

The Locomotive has performed well without significant problems through its 5 diverse runs and a Gala weekend at the ELR.

We are now back at base for another round of maintenance. Our spring programme includes our annual VAB audit and examinations. Other work on the Locomotive includes:

21 day exam
Examination of inside cylinder piston rings and motion
Turning of tender wheelset tyres
New brake blocks

The Trust owned support coach has its own programme including:

Buckeye exam
No 7 exam
New brake blocks
Full brake test
Roof painting

Gary Shannon
Engineering Team Leader.