We have trial fitted one of the buffer shanks, over the years all 4 have been bent where they bolt on to the buffer beam creating a dished effect. Since we straightened the beam none of the buffers will sit nicely on it now, Andy has spent a few hours turning them so the backs are flat, the down side to this is the thickness has been reduced. To overcome this problem we are going to fit some packers to the backs so they are to the correct length.

 

 

We are planning to have another riveting session next week hopefully this will see the veranda end finished.

 

With the assistance of Jon and Marcus, over the last 2 months we have been concentrating on riveting the toad together, so far the entire cabin end has been completed and 80% of the veranda end. 

 

A month ago we experimented in steam bending a 2x2” ash roof hoop.  The 1^st attempt was 90% successful but after a few modifications to the jig and constructing a steam box today we successfully bent another,  2 down 5 to go. 

 

The cabin end ballast and sand box holders have been constructed and waiting riveting.  We are currently building the veranda end sand boxes but since the previous owner striped them most parts have been lost over the years before reaching Bitton.  Luckily a visit to the SVR and Didcot for a few measurements and photographs have helped

All 4 new springs have been fitted, we are aiming to get the wheels back under during February at some point hopefully.