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The overhaul of our octogenarian mogul,
No.461,
is now at an advanced stage. Today the axleboxes were being remetalled
to make them fit the hornguides in the frames. Firstly Peter heats the
axlebox.
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Whitemetal, an alloy of lead and tin,
is melted in the ladle while the axlebox is kept hot. Once the correct
temperature is reached . . .
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. . . the metal can be poured into
place, fusing with the brass of the axlebox.
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The new metal in place ready to be
machined to the correct dimensions.
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There are six axleboxes which need
to be treated in this way. Brian is removing the old whitemetal from the
bearing which will be added to the ladle and reused.
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Part of 461's superheater header was
also on the workshop floor.
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A recent arrival at Whitehead is CSE
Oreinstein & Koppell No.1. This locomotive belongs to the Downpatrick
and County Down Railway, and has come to Whitehead for completion of
its overhaul. At the moment it is rubbing shoulders with No.461's tender
in the engine shed.
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One of the RPSI's vintage six-wheeled
coaches, No.62M, is being overhauled before it goes on loan to the Downpatrick
and County Down Railway. Here Robert is giving the coach's spindly
leaf springs a lick of paint.
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62M's Mansell wheels, each with sixteen
teak blocks rivetted firmly between a steel axle and steel tyre, almost
ready to go back under the coach.
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A more modern set of wheels are these
B4 bogies, which were overhauled in the Loco Workshop and are now ready
to carry No.547, our Dining Car, for many miles to come. No.131,
an engine only recently aquirred by the RPSI, sits in the background awaiting
its turn for overhaul.
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"R H Smyth" has had her front springs
replaced and was over the pit to allow the new springs to be adjusted.
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Meanwhile, work is continuing on the
society's preserved carriages. Francis was removing some of the electrical
equipment from spares coach 4112 for use on sleeping car 10651.
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A train line 3 phase interconnector
socket is being removed for use on another coach. These sockets allowed
electrical power to be sent along the train so the coaches could have heat
and light.
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