Restoration of Gresley A4: #60019 'Bittern'
at the Mid-Hants Railway

(10th January 2003 to 3rd February 2003)

3rd February 2003:

Mac was welding the new front frame sections of Bittern

Photo (3rd February 2003): Tony Wood

Andy Netherwood took these two photos on a visit to Chatham in January 2003 to check on progress with Bittern's boiler :
Section of the new copper firebox doorplate seen from inside the firebox
Front tubeplate with most of the new tubes fitted

22nd January 2003: In the distance, between the two coaches, contractors are working to install air braking system to A4 Bittern. The air pump will go in the place of the original vacuum cylinders between the loco frames, a location that eliminates a 250 LB psi flexible hose between loco and tender, which can be unreliable
Kim Malyon with one of the A4's brake cylinders

10th January 2003:

Front step of A4 Bittern is added

John Dunkerley inside, bolting up

Photos (10th January 2003): Tony Wood