INTRODUCTION
Seasons greetings and welcome to this Winter edition of our newsletter. Highlight of this edition is the authorisation of repairs to the Generator, as announced in the Special Supplement in November. Also there are reports on engine room repainting and progress on restoring Keith Hoddys recently acquired loco for the miniature railway.
PROGRESS
1. Generator
As noted in the November Special Supplement, the Generator has been transferred to Bowers Ltd at Heanor in Derbyshire. This transfer took place Monday / Tuesday, 26th / 27th October 2009 and was completed without incident, with all items being reported as safely arrived at Bowers.
The decision to transfer the repair work was made because Knowlton and Newman’s proposal and quote for a complete rebuild was beyond our budget. Having contacted Mike Jacobs, the owner of Peak 45060 Sherwood Forester, we were put in touch with the company responsible for the successful repair of its Generator namely, Bowers Ltd.
The damage to 45060s Generator was not as great as ours, the loco having been shutdown immediately the problem occurred. Also, unlike our loco, no subsequent re-start attempts had been made prior to full investigation and repair. However, Bowers carried out a survey of our Generator and offered a similar, significantly cheaper, repair solution together with a generous offer to commence the one year warranty on the repair from when we re-start the loco. Given this, together with their previous track record for Network Rail and Harry Needle and, in particular, their success with Sherwood Forester, we are confident that the right choice has been made in selecting Bowers to undertake the necessary repairs to our Generator.
We have also requested some additional work of a preventative nature. Firstly improved armature banding, which is both stronger and broader than the original, has been ordered. Second on our extras shopping list are anti-condensation heaters to help keep dampness at bay. It is hoped that these eminently sensible extras will help to prevent a recurrence of this problem, thus ensuring the long term reliability of our loco.
All in all this is excellent news for our loco and its “all hands to the pumps” now make her ready to receive the Generator back in the New Year. Basically we are now firmly on track with our stated aim of returning 45132 to working order for her 50th birthday in 2011.
The latest news from Bowers is courtesy of Mike Jacobs (owner of Sherwood Forester) who has kindly offered to record the progress photographically. He wanted to do this as there is no such record of his own generator repairs. Nevertheless we are very appreciative of his efforts. Most of what follows on this generator report is taken from his notes and uses his photographs. His first update has good and bad aspects.
The bad news is that Bowers are experiencing problems with removing the alternator rotor from the armature shaft. This is necessary to access the damaged armature coils. Luckily Mike Jacobs had some drawings showing the alternator modification during the original ETH conversion. Apparently the rotor was shrunk onto the armature shaft on three different diameters, two tapered and the inner one plain but keyed. Special tooling will need to be fabricated to perform the separation.
The good news is that Bowers have cleaned the field frame and it appears to be in very good condition, except for the damage of course. It seems that it had been rewound previously as the insulation looks quite modern. Also the damaged compensating coils all look like they can be repaired. On the whole we take this first report as positive news.
2. Interior Bodywork
Engine Room re-painting has been progressing apace, as can be seen from the photographs. The interior walls of the Generator area are virtually complete, as is the gearbox and the floor under the Generator. This latter has been finished in blue and has become affectionately known as “The Blue Lagoon”, particularly appropriate after an ingress of rainwater through the temporary roof panels!
This work has made a dramatic improvement to this area of the loco and it appears much brighter as a result. The rest of the engine room will be similarly treated. A start has already been made on cleaning up the engine itself.
3. Exterior Bodywork
Some patch painting of the body sides has been undertaken to prevent corrosion during the winter. This is more of a holding operation pending a full repaint.
4. Number 1 End Nose and Cab
Unfortunately work has temporarily stalled on this due to changing priorities; basically we need to concentrate on getting the engine room ready to receive the generator back. Also there are some issues with the under floor conduit that have to be resolved before rewiring can be completed. Some non standard conduit has been used and we are having difficulty in finding suitable Tee pieces and joints for it.
Assistance with the indicator boxes is due to be provided shortly. Also we are trying to acquire replacement Control Desk meters for the ones that have not been returned from repair. Hopefully we will have better news to report on refitting the nose in the next issue.
5. Lighting
All engine room, Cab 1 and 2 interior lights plus Cab 2 exterior lights have been tested and repaired as necessary. All are now functioning, the only drawback being the editor smashing one of the temporary fluorescent lights in the engine room (note accidently, and not in a fit of pique as has been suggested!).
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
1. Batteries
The batteries continue to be cleaned, topped up and charged regularly but their condition continues to deteriorate. Thoughts are now turning to acquiring suitable alternatives.
2. Triple Pump
The Triple Pump is still being regularly tested and continues to perform well but we can only run it for very short periods now due to the state of the batteries.
3. Testing
Testing the braking system relays is underway and we hope to start some basic checks on other equipments and circuits including, of course, the traction motors in the near future.
FUNDRAISING
This was reduced to running the stall at Ropley on occasional Saturdays, when the weather permitted. Even this has now ceased during the “off season”, particularly as all hands are now required to prepare the loco to receive its generator back in the New Year.
MINIATURE RAILWAY
Some members of our group also assist with the Miniature Railway at Ropley, as a way of showing our commitment to the Mid Hants Railway. We hope that you will find their progress of some interest. We had been criticised in the past for not showing enough commitment to the railway and our efforts here have helped to redress this situation; the proof being the complimentary remarks in the editorial of the latest Mid Hants Railway magazine. Please note that the two groups are financially independent.
As noted in the Special Supplement, there has been some significant good and bad news, which seems to becoming rather a theme with our group lately. The bad news is that the track has been removed by the previous owner of the rails, preventing us from running during the Wizard Week event.
This was a great disappointment, both for us and the public, particularly the children, as we dearly wanted to repeat our successes of the previous two Thomas events. However, the aluminium rails were not really appropriate for 10 ¼” gauge, they were well worn (almost life expired) and would have needed replacement soon in any case. At least we have been saved the onerous task of lifting and disposing of it.
As for the good, news this was two fold. Firstly Colin Chambers requested us to obtain quotes for replacement track with a view to being up and running again for next year’s first Thomas event.
Secondly Mid Hants railway stalwart Keith Hoddy has bought a diesel electric loco. It is based on an American F series loco and is powered by a Lister two cylinder diesel engine (it originally had a petrol engine). This turns a 110V generator which then powers the rear bogie via a 12HP electric motor and chain drive transmission.
The body work, brakes and wiring were all in need of attention with the nose in particular having been badly damaged. However, repairs have already commenced and the loco has moved under its own power, proving the major components to be in good order.
Servicing and repairs are well under way. Engine oil and filters have been changed and the fuel system has been thoroughly cleaned plus a new fuel filter installed.
The nose has been repaired and primed ready for painting. The support structure for the nose is nearing completion. Wiring has been repaired and renewed as required and a new isolating box installed. All the circuits have been traced and drawn out. The brakes have received attention but we will need some new pads. Bodywork is being stripped back to bare metal in readiness for re-painting.
The owner has decided against major body work changes (there had been some discussion about rebuilding it as a British diesel loco type). However, it will be repainted in Brunswick Green, possibly with speed whiskers or should that be a speed beard?
CONCLUSION
Roger and the team would like to thank you all for your support over the last year and we would also like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In particular we are all now looking forward to the New Year with great anticipation of when the repaired Generator is re-united with 45132.
As always we would appreciate your opinions of and any input to future editions of this newsletter. Your railway recollections, stories, photos or general information on Peaks and their travels would, I’m sure, be of interest. Also any constructive suggestions for format changes or other topics to be covered would be most welcome. We are also on the lookout for pictures, sightings and details of workings of our loco D22 / 45132, particularly in BR days. We are still looking for help with deciphering TOPS codes on the TOPS report for 45132 which we have.
Unless otherwise credited all photos are by the Editor.
CONTACT DETAILS
Website
The website can be found at www.45132.com
45132 Supporter Group c/o:-
153, Clive Road,
Fratton,
Portsmouth PO1 5JD
Telephone 02392 812838
Newsletter Contributions
Please send any comments, letters, photographs, sightings details or articles to the Editor, Ray Briscall, email ray.briscall@virgin.net, or to the address above.
Working on the Loco
All offers of help gratefully received. We are keen to hear from anybody who would like to work on the loco, particularly as we are now under pressure to make her ready to receive the generator back. No special skills are necessary (as can be seen by watching our efforts!) although anybody with metal fabrication, welding or electrical skills would be particularly welcome. A valid PTS is required to access the loco down the Alresford head shunt. However, please do not let this put you off as we can escort you there and back and generally look after you. Obtaining a PTS is quite straightforward and we can advise you – so whats stopping you? We are quite a friendly bunch and we certainly do not bite! Please use any of the contact methods on the previous page.