The Welsh Highland Railway Society has issued the latest update on restoring to service NG15 class narrow-gauge locomotive No.134.

Further progress has been made with the overhaul and modifications to the loco chassis and tender, and the ashpan air intake grilles have all been fitted, meaning the ashpan is now spark-proof and ready to be fitted under the boiler when the loco returns to Dinas.

Lubrication splitter units, the manifold, and pipework have all been installed so that the Krauss-Helmholtz linked Cannon Box on the front axle receives reliable lubrication in service.

The vacuum train pipe has been reassembled at the front of the firebox, and the ashpan emptying door operating shaft refitted in front of the firebox area.

As their machining is now complete, all the coupling and connecting rods have been given a polish. Following completion of the coupling rods, the paid staff at Dinas have been working on the driver’s side piston, rod, slide bars, and crosshead. These are now being trial fitted to check alignment and clearances.

Fabrication works on the underside of the tender tank have been completed to allow clearance around the brake cylinder. The underside of the tank has been painted.

After some adjustments had been made to the chopper coupling and some cutting out for the modified handbrake had been completed, the tank was lowered onto the underframe in its final position.

The Pyle headlamps have been stripped and repainted and have been trialled at different heights on the rear of the tank, and the all-important numberplate 134 has been mounted on the back of the tender.

A newly fabricated three-chime whistle has been fitted to 130 while its own whistle is being repaired; its melodious tones seems to be making many friends along the WHR.

Meanwhile, the boiler is being overhauled at Locomotive Maintenance Services (LMS) in Loughborough, where it has been since the end of 2018. Progress has been made in recent weeks, although the existing barrel material has proved to be very tough to drill and ream so that the barrel extension can be mounted. However, this is now bolted on with all holes, including those for the dome and tubeplate, reamed ready for rivetting of the front section to start.

You can find out more about the project, how you can help, and details on how you can donate to the project, over on their website