Overhaul of Y14/J15 commences

Preliminary work on preparing the Society’s Y14/J15 locomotive was commenced last weekend.

This work is being undertaken by a group of volunteers led by NNR driver Joe Issitt who has previous experience working on the restoration of steam locomotives. Joe is being assisted by fellow drivers/footplate colleagues Josh Courtney & Adam Sanders.

Joe approached the Society with an offer to undertake this preparatory work on a voluntary basis and the Society were delighted to accept. The work will be carried out under the supervision of Chief Mechanical Engineer Keith Ashford.

Work undertaken so far includes

·        Dismantling and removing the brick arch from the firebox

·        The ash pan cleaned and swept down

·        The fire grate being removed and labelled ready for storage

·        Cleaning and preparing the coal space in the tender, the sides being lined in part by what’s believed to be a combination of compacted coal dust and rust

Further work will include painting the prepared tender coal space with a bituminous paint and deep cleaning of the frames and motion.

As previously announced the Society has agreed that the restoration work on the driving frame will be undertaken in house at the Weybourne Works whilst the boiler will go to a selected contractor.

The preliminary work by volunteers will enable a proper start by Weybourne staff to be commenced when other priority restoration work has been completed.

Y14/J15 cleaned coal space ready for its bituminous coating

with fire grate sections laid out ready for temporary storage