Since the last update on Q Class 541 in November’s Bluebell Times, Leaky Finders have removed areas of the steel outer firebox wrapper on the sides and backhead that are wasted and need to be replaced.

New sections of steel plate will replace them, and will be welded into place.

Following the dismantling of the chassis, the wheelsets and axles have passed their ultrasonic tests and the wheelsets sent to the South Devon Railway for tyre turning.

The rear dragbox under the cab was found to have deteriorated and has been removed from the frames so that it can be replaced.

At Bluebell’s workshop at Sheffield Park in East Sussex, staff are overhauling boiler fittings and carrying out some preparatory work on the superheater header.

Melvyn Frohnsdorff has been freeing up the tender tank, dismantling various lengths of pipework suspended underneath and extracting the vacuum and brake cylinders. The tender tank mounted sandboxes and associated pipework also had to be removed. This will enable staff to lift the tender tank, enabling them to access to the frames and assess their condition.

The working party has begun dismantling the brake rigging and cleaning and painting parts removed from the tender. It has plenty more work to do cleaning between the frames, addressing any work required to dragboxes, and more.

Q Class is a 0-6-0 steam locomotive designed by Richard Maunsell of Southern Railway, which were constructed immediately before the Second World War.