The Maunsell Locomotive Society based at the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex has released an update on the overhaul of their Q class Locomotive No.30541 following on from their last update.

With the boiler having spent nearly 18 months at Leaky Finders, work continues apace with new outer wrapper side sheets for the firebox now completed, which has allowed work to start on the reaming of the numerous stay holes, with about two-thirds already completed at the time of writing.

The new fire hole ring has been drilled out and finished in readiness for preparation for installation after the final repairs to the inner firebox plate work are done.

Efforts on the chassis have concentrated on refurbishing and fixing the axle boxes, horn faces, and wedges.

New steel plates have been installed on the horn faces and wedges. The crowns of the axle boxes have been detached, and the holes in the axle boxes have been welded and machined.

Concurrently, the axle boxes underwent magnetic particle inspection to identify any surface cracks. The re-riveting process for the frame stretchers, angles, and brackets is complete.

The 4253 Group is making swift progress on the new replacement tender tank. The primary structure is finished, with the water and coal spaces securely welded.

The tank’s front, which features the tool lockers and shovelling plate, has been completed and coated in protective green paint. The original and newly made baffles and bracing have been welded or riveted in position, with the tank’s rear section already assembled and preparing for installation.

Considerable effort has been dedicated to repairing and repurposing the original beading that adorns the top edges of the tender tank.

These have been securely riveted into position, alongside other detailed tasks such as adjusting the toolboxes’ doors for an improved fit.

Repairs on the tender chassis are advancing smoothly, Bluebell’s workshop team and volunteers have been installing new drag boxes on the tender frames. The front drag box has been crafted, secured and awaits final riveting, while the rear drag box is already riveted in position.

Members of the Maunsell Locomotive Society have been cleaning up and painting the brake rigging for both the locomotive and tender, prior to it being re-bushed, while work on degreasing the tender frames has also been undertaken.