July Progress

M50517

During the week, the No 1 engine which for the past two seasons has been a cause for concern (cutting out, leaking oil and being a general nuisance!) was swopped with the reconditioned one which was selected from stores. However it has not yet been tested because an oil filter, found to be in a different place that is unsuitable for our 104's needs to be relocated before the engine is tested under load, as although the engine was able to be fitted, the filter will knock against the chassis if left in place. It is thought the engine may have come from a vehicle that has the engines mounted much lower than a 104 such as a 117. The operation was able to be done with the railway's own forklift truck after some special platforms were built out of both steel and wood to enable the forklift to take the engine out (the steel part) while also allowing the engine to slide into its final position (the wooden part). Final tweaking and a test run will with luck be carried out in time for our main set of running days throughout August.

M50455

No 1 Engine: With M50455's No 2 engine ceased and M50517's No 1 engine isolated, when M50455's remaining engine failed to start, the set was declared unable to run. Fortunately a few days later the fault was traced to the Battery Isolating Switch (BIS) and after dismantling the problem was discovered as poor contacts and nothing more serious. After a good clean up the switch was refitted and the engine tested sucessfully, giving the operating set two working engines again.

No 2 Engine: It is anticipated that another spare engine will be prepared later this year and swopped with this one. Until then the engine is to remain isolated.

M59137

Recent work has been the fitting of wooden support beams that hold the alloy luggage rack backs. Progress is currently limited with the power cars having their much needed maintenance.