Working Day 25/10/2014

Hello again ......................................

Another productive day by the CFPS engineering team today on both loco's. 

Firstly 345 (40145) has today received its annual safety inspection and passed with no major issues. This inspection is necessary to ensure that the locomotive is fit for service at the time of inspection for continued use on Network Rail lines. 

As 345 is classed as an Heritage Locomotive with derogations granted to make loco exempt from some of the new railway group standards the loco must receive this inspection either annually or at 15'000 miles which ever comes first. 

The inspection is undertaken by an external accredited Vehicle Acceptance Body under contract by the CFPS. 

In basic terms its an MOT just like your car! 

I am also pleased to report that the coolant pre-heater on 345 has now been commissioned. The system was trialled for 7 hours yesterday and the engine block got warm enough to open the radiator thermostats which is around the 60 degree C mark. 

The last phase will be fitted this week coming is a timer function so it can be programmed to come on like your heating at home. There will be a Frost Stat function which will also automatically switch the pre-heater on if temperature fall below 4 degrees C. 

345 will be prepared for upcoming Compass Tours trip from Southport to York / Saltburn on November 29th 2014.  This will take place on Saturday's 1st & 22nd this will include the annual maintenance exam.

D335

Whilst I was attending to the inspection on 345 the rest of the team was getting stuck into lifting the boiler room roof section off and craning out the stones steam generator out for refurbishment. 

Once this was completed the gang then removed the chequer plate floor from the boiler area for de-greasing and steam cleaning and steam cleaning the boiler compartment and all the pipe work from under the floor. 

There's still plenty of cleaning and painting still to do. Here are a few photo's from today's activities.

James gets to grips with 30 years of dirt and Grime with the pressure washer!

Floor plates after a good cleaning 

Front view of the Stones Steam Boiler

The gang get on with sealing boiler exhaust outlet before roof section is refitted.

Stones Steam generator after removal and cleaning 

Dave Greenwood gives the boiler a good clean off with pressure washer.

The next working dates will be as follows:

Saturday 1st November 2014 - 335 & 345 (Tour prep)

Saturday 22nd November 2014 - 345 (Tour Prep and exam)

If you wish to help please contact me by email on engineering@cfps.co.uk your more than welcome to come and join us and help us keep two pieces of English Electric & British Rail history alive. 

Alternatively we are seeking helpers to assist us with re-locating our vehicle parts stores and catalogue all parts we have in stock. We are seeking help in clearing vegetation to enable spares to be moved safely if you can help please contact either John Stephens by email - chairman@cfps.co.uk or Jonny Stevenson by email - secretary@cfps.co.uk.    

Finally I wish to thank the following for their assistance today; Jonathan Stevenson, Mike Hirst, Mike Marren, Paul Morris, Dave Greenwood, James Bottomley, Mark Hornby, Derek Gibson & Andy Hardman. 

More news soon.

Cheers

Lee

Working Day 25th October 2014

Evening All

With work on D335 now underway I wish to organize a working day on Saturday 25th October concentrating on progressing tasks forwards.

The loco will be at Castlecroft shed as we will need use of the 10 ton crane to remove boiler room roof section and lift out the steam generator onto a trolley.

Once steam generator has been removed we will need to steam clean the engine room and boiler area for painting.

The boiler will need to filled with an antifreeze solution to prevent frost damage and corrosion.

Also on the same day 345 will be inspected for its annual Network Rail safety examination at Buckley Wells shed.

If you can help and wish to get involved with our engineering team to get D335 fighting fit again please email me on engineering@cfps.co.uk.

Even if you can only drive a scraper and paint brush your help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Lee

CFPS Engineering Update

Hello All.............................

Firstly a huge apology for all who follow our engineering blog for not updating in so long, Other commitments have limited my free time in recent months to keep you up to date.

However with work already started on 40135 repairs and repaint it seemed a good time to start reporting on the progress made which only started today thanks to efforts of Seton Spencer.

Firstly I will give you all a brief run down on work that will be completed on 40135 (D335) over next 12 months with a return to traffic expected to be Autumn diesel gala 2015.

• Removal of Stones steam generator - for total rewire, corrosion repairs and upgrade of boiler operating controls. 
• Heavy cleaning and painting of engine room and boiler compartment.
• Complete fitment of overhauled brake cylinders - 3 units left to fit.
• Heavy cleaning of under-frame.
• Heavy clean of main and auxiliary generator, overhaul brush gear on aux gen. 
• Heavy cleaning and replace worn out brush gear and re-anti track paint traction motors 1 to 5. 
• Sort out various minor coolant, fuel and oil leak  and C exam. 
• Remove and re-seal cab windows and body side windows.
• Corrosion repairs as required to body.
• Renew cab floors both cabs and new floor vinyl added & new trim. 
• Repaint body - BR Green - full yellow ends.
• Refit and certify stones steam generator for 2015 winter season. 

As you can see there's quite a bit to achieve so if you can help us please get in touch by emailing me at engineering@cfps.co.uk. 

Today Seton has got us to a flying start by unbolting boiler room roof, disconnecting boiler ready for lifting out and removing auxiliary generator brush gear for overhaul. Thanks Seton!!

I will post out a list of working dates concentrating on D335 over next day or so. 

A quick update on 345.

Loco performed very well at last weeks gala - it was noted that field diverts and general load control system is working much better after recent re-bushing of operating linkage between the power piston, governor and load regulator cam switches. There is some minor adjustments to be made to get field diverts coming in at correct speed and increase horsepower slightly. 

There will be also a couple of working dates on 345 to prepare her for next mainline outing in November. 

Cheers

Lee

345 work 16.11.13

Hello everyone ....

Today I have been working solo on the snagging list on 345 here is the work completed.

1) completed fitting turbo charger storm drains this will enable rain water to drain from the bottom of turbo and not collect in exhaust system this will prevent any corrosion from taking place on the turbo impellers and nozzle rings. Excessive water in exhaust system can lead to hydraulic lock when trying to start.

2) A number of cab doors have been fettled as they were binding in frames making them difficult to open and close.

3) No1 end screen washers have been repaired and are now working the fault was traced to intermittent switch contact on drivers desk, switch has been replaced. No2 end washers have been checked and fault traced to faulty washer pump. I think a trip to local scrap yard will be needed for a replacement pump.

Our next working date for our team is the 7/12/13 there's a lot to do on both locos if you wish to get involved on the engineering team please contact me on engineering@cfps.co.uk. As they many hands make light work. 

Cheers Lee

More work on 345

 

This evening I have spent a few hours on 345.

The loco coolant system has been drained and the correct length sight glass  fitted and system refilled with anti freeze. 

I also fitted new turbo charger storm drains to A2 and B2 turbo charger.

I will continue this job on Saturday.

There's still a lot of jobs to complete on 345 to get her 100 % fit.

That's all for now

Night all.

Lee

345 goes home

Today 345 (40145 )  and of course D335 returns home to the East Lancs Railway I from Tyseley TMD. 

Both locos have arrived safely back at the ELR with no issues either.

Tyseley TMD staff have been brilliant and a pleasure to work with. Once again thanks chaps.

 

Thank you to Mervyn Allcock at Barrowhill for making us welcome as always.

Also thanks Shaun Wright and the 40013 gang for all their help and support.

And Finally Harry Needles for his assistance and use of his facilities at Barrowhill.

I am somewhat relieved and pleased it all went well and also to give our members a taster of the healthy 345.

I'm pooped so I will say good night all.

 

Cheers

Lee

D335 goes to Tyseley & 345 returns to mainline action!!!

Hello everyone .............

I am sure you've heard by now that on Monday 4th November 345 returned to service back on the mainline working 13:40 0Z41 from Barrowhill to Tyseley.

The loco performed well just a couple of niggles to iron out these being an minor oil leak on B5 cylinder head and No.2 cab main generator ammeter is sticking.

The loco also hauled D9009 and D335 from Barrowhill to Tyseley for tyre turning. As I write this 345's tyres are being turned and the other loco's have been completed.

A big thank you to London Midland at Tyseley for accommodating us and make us welcome when we arrived.  A huge thanks to the lads at HNRC who have helped us through our difficult time with both locomotives and putting up with us for so long!!

On Friday 8th November 345 will once again haul D9009 and D335 back to Barrowhill this time dropping of D9009 before continuing home to the East Lancs Railway.

345's first passenger working for 3 years.

345 will be hauling the ELR Saturday diesel diagram departing Bury at 09:30 to Rawtenstall. As it is now heat season Class 47 D1501 will also be attached to the train for heating purposes. It is also the CFPS Annual General Meeting which is being held at the Grants Arms in Ramsbottom starting at 12:30 prompt.

I am sure many of you will be asking when will be the next railtour?? We are looking at running our first tour in over 3 years during spring of 2014 and details will be announced when we have finalized the itinerary.

We have a number of jobs still outstanding on both locomotives that need attending to during the winter and I am hoping to have one of our locos ready to work Saturday diesel diagrams with working steam heat boiler.

Much of the work requires money to spent on parts and equipment to help us extend life of components such as batteries. Its been on the cards for last 3 years to install battery chargers on both 335 and 345 to ensure batteries remain in good condition as a new set of batteries costs over £5000 pounds.

So we do still need your help with donations and items we can flog on our sales stands to help me and my team on the engineering side to continue to make the improvements to both locomotives and help to finance long overdue repaint of D335.

To all of you that have donated and supported our cause over the last 3 years with 345's repairs a big thank you.

Finally I personally would like to say thanks to our excellent engineering team over last 3 years on 345 its been a long slog but we got there in the end!

Cheers for now...

Lee

p.s anyone who has any pictures of 345 from Monday's jaunt or Fridays returning working I would be much obliged if you could send me a copy for inclusion onto the blog.  



 

345/ 335 update and more good news...........

Evening everyone ..........

I have some more good news to report and another step forward to 345 returning to the mainline once again. 

345

Firstly progress over the last week on list of work has been greatly progressed, with only low priority jobs now remaining thanks to the efforts of James Bottomley, Seton Spencer, Carl Holt, Mark Jopson, John Stephens and myself.

Last Sunday the gang got together and tackled the following:

• Loco was re brake blocked ready for tyre turning.
• Traction motor gearcases all checked and topped up as required.
• All traction motors checked again prior to running, all were in good order.
• Calibrated Ammeters were refitted to both cab desks.
• Air leak on engine compartment air tank on A side cured.
• Brake test and OTMR test fully completed.
• Missing cab safety signs installed.
• Underframe exam and final inspection done.  

Today our Vehicle Acceptance Body has carried out an engineering inspection on 345 at Barrowhill and I am pleased to report the loco flew through the inspection with only 2 minor corrective actions which will be attended to this Saturday along with Fitness to Run exam for movement this Monday coming. 

After the inspection the loco was positioned ready for a delivery of fuel by road tanker due Weds or Thurs. A big thanks to East Lancs Railway in particular Paul Bonello and David Layland for arranging it. 

D335

Last week D335 was put over the pit at the Carriage Works at Bury and the loco was fully re-blocked and all underframe levels checked and topped up as needed. Under frame inspection which revealed two body to bogie air hoses were defective and required replacement. These were replaced next day. 

All the bogies were greased and FTR completed ready for movement to the wheel lathe. 
My next job after completing the blog update is to complete the necessary paperwork for D335 to be given a transit move certificate to allow movement over Network Rail. 

Thanks to Seton Spencer and Rory Lushman for there help

I can now present the full picture to you what will be happening and when.

Monday 4th November 2013  
(note its just short of 3 years by only 7 days since 345 arrived at Barrowhill for repairs)

D9009 will haul D335 from Bury to Barrowhill on arrival 345 will be attached to the consist. 345 will then  haul D9009 and D335 from Barrowhill to Tyseley TMD.


The consist will remain there to allow all three locomotives to be tyre turned and the necessary checks after tyre turning to be undertaken. These being as follows:

• Speedometer re-calibration.
• AWS/ TPWS aerial/ receiver height check.
• Brake adjustment.
• Safety Guard height check.
• Buffer heights check. 

Friday the 8th November 2013 

345 will haul D9009 and D335 back to Barrowhill dropping D9009 off at home base then continuing on home to the East Lancs Railway. 

Saturday 8th November 2013

I am hopefully going to arrange for 345 to work one or two trains on Saturday 9th November 2013 as part of the CFPS annual general meeting I will let you all know if this is going to happen next week.

There are few outstanding items of repairs to do on 345 but these will attended to over the winter but I for one will be glad to see her back home. 

Timings are below for loco moves next week.

0Z40 Castleton Hopwood Gf 0800 Castleton North Jn 0803-0813 Castleton 0840-0842 Rochdale 0844 Rochdale East Jn 0845 Littleborough 0853 Hall Royd Jn 0903 Hebden Bridge 0907 Milner Royd Jn 0917 Greetland Jn 0919 Bradley Wood Jn 0924 Heaton Lodge East Jn 0926 Mirfield East Jn 0928 Thornhill L.N.W. Jn. 0929 Horbury Jn 0940 Wakefield Kirkgate 0943 Calder Bridge Jn 0944 Crofton West Jn 0946 Hare Park Junction 0949 South Kirkby Jn 0957 Moorthorpe 0957 Swinton (S.Yorks) 1013 Aldwarke Jn 1015 Masborough Jn 1018 Treeton Jn 1022 Beighton Jn 1024 Barrow Hill North Jn 1032 Barrow Hill South Jn. 1034-1038 Barrow Hill L.I.P. 1052 0Z41 Barrow Hill L.I.P. 1340 Barrow Hill South Jn. 1347-1352 Barrow Hill North Jn 1355-1359 Tapton Jn 1411 Chesterfield 1411 Chesterfield South Jn 1412 Clay Cross North Jn 1414 Ambergate Jn 1431 Derby 1443-1445 Sunnyhill 1448-1516 Stenson Jn 1519 North Stafford Jn 1520 Clay Mills Jn 1524 Burton-on-trent 1533-1541 Wichnor Jn 1548 Tamworth 1556 Kingsbury Jn 1602 Water Orton 1608 Water Orton West Jn 1610 Castle Bromwich Jn 1612 Washwood Heath West Jn 1626 Landor Street Jn 1629 St Andrews Jn (West Mids) 1631 Bordesley Jn 1635 Small Heath South Jn 1638 Tyseley T.M.D. 1640

08/11/13 Loco Transfer - Tyseley to Barrow Hill (55009 40135 40145)0Z43 Tyseley T.M.D. 1026 Small Heath South Jn 1028 Bordesley Jn 1033 St Andrews Jn (West Mids) 1034 Landor Street Jn 1036 Castle Bromwich Jn 1043 Water Orton West Jn 1045 Water Orton 1046 Kingsbury Jn 1051 Tamworth 1056 Wichnor Jn 1103 Burton-on-trent 1109 Clay Mills Jn 1115 North Stafford Jn 1118 Stenson Jn 1119 Derby 1125-1131 Ambergate Jn 1143 Clay Cross North Jn 1154 Chesterfield South Jn 1154 Chesterfield 1155 Tapton Jn 1156 Barrow Hill South Jn. 1201-1205 Barrow Hill L.I.P. 1219

08/11/13 Loco Transfer - Barrow Hill to ELR (40135 40145) 0Z44 Barrow Hill L.I.P. 1350 Barrow Hill South Jn. 1355-1400 Barrow Hill North Jn 1402 Beighton Jn 1407 Treeton Jn 1408 Masborough Jn 1412 Aldwarke Jn 1415 Swinton (S.Yorks) 1420 Moorthorpe 1427 South Kirkby Jn 1428 Hare Park Junction 1435 Crofton West Jn 1438 Calder Bridge Jn 1439 Wakefield Kirkgate 1441-1447 Horbury Jn 1459 Mirfield East Jn 1526 Heaton Lodge Jn 1532 Huddersfield 1537-1550 Marsden 1558 Diggle Jn 1604 Greenfield 1607 Stalybridge 1613 Ashton Moss North Jn 1617 Baguley Fold Jn 1621 Philips Park West Jn 1627 Brewery Junction 1637 Thorpes Bridge Jn 1640 Vitriol Works 1642 Castleton East Jn 1650 Castleton 1651-1655 Castleton East Jn 1707-1712 Castleton North Jn 1724-1729 Castleton Hopwood Gf 1733

Thanks to West Coast Railway Company for organizing and arranging the moves.  

We still need your continued support to help achieve getting both loco's in to tip top condition. 

More news soon.....

Cheers
Lee

335 and 345 News update.

Evening everyone ......

Here is an update on progress on 335/345 front.

Last weekend myself, Mark Hornby, Mark Jopson, John Stephens and James Bottomley were working on 345 progressing through a list of 50 items of repairs and testing prior to a visit by our VAB inspector now scheduled for 29th October where he will undertake inspection on 345 so she can re-gain her mainline certification.

Work last weekend comprised off the following:

• Steam cleaning and refitting rocker covers and fuel pump covers after fuel pump and injector overhauls.
• Control cubicle checking over and cleaning.
• Repairs to faulty OTMR pressure sensor.
• Testing of GSMR radio after replacing faulty speaker.
• Testing of NRN equipment.
• Continuation of exam work.
• Investigation into faulty screen washers. 
• Removal of main generator ammeters for Calibration as they were both reading low during load bank tests.
• Load regulator resistors checked and cleaned.
• Various small jobs like securing loose engine room door handles and freeing off radiator shutters. 

This Saturday another work party is scheduled to attend Barrowhill to continue with work on 345.

Items we are looking at this week are:

• Full brake test
• OTMR test and data analysis.
• TPWS test.
• Continuation of repair work including window washer repairs.
• Refitting of floor panels near to main generator.
• Re-labeling cab desk and controls
• Cab signage.  

It does not seem much when you read this but I can assure you its a long and laborious jobs completing these tests but they are part of routine safety tests to ensure safety of the people who travel behind the loco.

I am also pleased to inform you that moves are booked with WCRC to transport D335 and 345 to London Midland depot at Tyseley for tyre turning the moves are booked to take place on Monday 4th November. This will be confirmed nearer the time and timings will be posted. 

Here's the bad news!!!! and we need your help.

Costings:

345 certification for mainline running : £1500.00

Fuel for the moves: £1400.00

Movement costs:£ 2000.00

UAT costs for D335: £650.00

Tyre Turning costs: £5500.00

Speedo re-calibration after Tyre turning: £250

Grand Total: £11,300.00

 

 As you can see by the costings above to keep our machines running costs a great deal of money and effort. Our sales team does a sterling job raising funds to help our cause as do many of our members by donation of money or items we can sell. 

I am appealing to you all to dig deep in your pockets and assist us in anyway with donations big or small to achieve our target to get 335 working again and 345 fighting fit for CFPS charter work. We are so close to achieving it after a three year slog of bad news and set backs.......

Finally a big thanks to John Stephens, Mark Hornby, James Bottomley, Mark Jopson for their assistance last weekend. John and James have both been busy all this week as well, James has continued the exam and repair work on 345 after finishing work with HNRC working well after 9 pm some nights.

 John has been picking up parts and materials we require to get 345 finished off as well as sorting out Whistler mags, sorting the accounts out for the AGM, organizing and collecting sales stand stock for the CFPS sales stand at ELR's steam gala this weekend as well as day to day running of our society.  

Further update next week.

Thanks for your support so far.............!!

Cheers

Lee

345 load bank tests and hectic few weeks to come.

Hello again........

Unfortunately I have been unable to upload the video foot from Thursday's load bank trials with 345 after several attempts the video refuses to play.

We now have a few hectic weeks ahead finishing off maintenance work and iron out a few niggling issues.

Today - James Bottomley has spent the day re-connecting traction cables after load banking and the loco can now be moved under its own power again.

Work still to complete is as follows:

• No.2 end straight air brake valve to replace as blowing through.
• No.1 end NRN aerial base to replace.
• Brake pressure transducer part of the OTMR system requires repair / replacement.
• Maintenance exam to complete around 60% completed.
• Mainline re-registration examination and certification.
• Loco to re-block after tyre turning.
• Speedo Calibration after tyre turning.

Tyre turning plans.................

It is hoped that week commencing 14/10/2013 D9009 which going back home to Barrowhill will haul D335 from the East Lancs Railway to Barrowhill where it will stable for around 14 days whilst repairs and maintenance work is completed. 

D9009 also requires tyre turning so once 345 is fully fit it will haul D9009 and 335 to the wheel lathe facility which will act as loaded test run. 

Once turning is completed and necessary inspections and tests after tyre turning, its then planned for 345 to haul the three loco's back to Barrowhill dropping off D9009 and then 335 and 345 will return home to the ELR. 

Thank you to the Deltic Preservation Society for their help and support.

There is a possibility that we will not be able to have one of our loco's running for the CFPS Annual General Meeting on 9th November. But it would be great if they are both home by then so 345 can run with another loco for heat and show our members how the dosh or goods  they have donated have been put to good use. 

If you wish to get involved with the CFPS as we desperately need more help and support in both the engineering teams and sales teams please get in touch by email using the addresses below.

chairman@cfps.co.uk

engineering@cfps.co.uk 

Finally Thank you James for your efforts today on 345. 

Cheers

Lee

 

345 Update ...... Good News!!!!!

Evening All

Having only just got home this evening from Barrowhill I have good news to report........

Due to some swift planning by the staff at HNRC yesterday tonight we have been able to load bank 345.
I am pleased to report that the low power issue has been resolved due to installation of overhauled pumps and injectors.

The loco is now developing 1800 horsepower to the rail which is slightly up from the workshop overhaul spec of 1765 horsepower.  The loco performed at full power for over 30 minutes and the results were getting better as time went on.

A few minor fuel leaks need to resolved and work can now turn to the completion of the maintenance examination and VAB inspection for mainline certification.

We do need to get the thermostatic bypass valves overhauled but these can be attended to on the Loco's return to the ELR.

I will upload onto the blog tomorrow evening some footage of the loco being put through her paces.

Thanks to the staff at HNRC, Shaun Wright, James Bottomley and John Stephens for their assistance....

Cheers for now

Lee

D335 FXP

Hello again

Just a quick post to inform you that the CFPS had intended to run a further driver experience course with D335 during October but unfortunately the wear on the wheel flanges has reached a stage were we can no longer permit the loco to run till the tyres have been turned.

Further use could jeopardize hauling D335 over Network Rail to a wheel lathe facility and land us with a hefty cost of road transport to the lathe.

More news soon .....

Cheers
Lee

D335 and 345 Update

Hello All

Sorry its been a while since my last post this due to pressures of work and trying to take a bit of break from the hectic workload I have.

I am pleased to report of a few developments with both of our loco's.

D335

I am pleased to report that 335 this evening is hauling the second diesel hauled diner and the train is sold out. Both of the diesel diners that have run at the ELR have been a success and will be repeated again next year with 345 at the helm.

The loco will also be working a couple of services this weekend see the ELR website for details. This will be 335 definite last working until  tyre turning is completed.

There is currently plans a foot to haul 335 for tyre turning in the next few weeks and I will advise you all when these are firmed up.

D335 steam heat generator is currently out of commission awaiting some modifications to satisfy the railways insurance company. The mods will be high on the priority list once tyre turning has been completed.

345

Since my last post the pumps and injectors have returned from Colchester fuel injection and we managed to raise the funds needed to pay them but only just. I would like to thank all who dug into their pockets to assist us with the cost of overhaul of these parts.

Over last couple of weekends and some late night working by James Bottomley the pumps and injectors have now been refitted to the power unit. The low water level switch has been refitted and system has been refilled with coolant.

The next phase is load bank the power unit again and set up load control system to gain the correct horsepower output. We may have to wait a week or two for this to happen due to the workload at Harry Needles workshop. As ever we are very grateful for Harry and his staff for their continued support to the CFPS.

I would also like to thank Mark Jopson ,John Stephens and James Bottomley for their valued help to refit the parts back on the power unit.

Once load banking is completed and we are happy with the loco, we shall seek to regain re-certification for mainline running which should take a couple of weeks to complete.

Her first job will be to haul 335 to the wheel lathe as both locomotives require tyre turning which is our next major expense and is projected to cost around £10K inclusive of movement costs.

Sales Stands and annual raffle.

The CFPS this weekend have two sales stands at two different locations, these being the ELR Diesel Gala and Barrowhill for their Model railway exhibition.

The annual CFPS raffle will also be drawn at the ELR on Sunday 29th 2013.

If your attending any of these events please do come and have a mooch at our stand and say hello. Our sales team needs your support to keep these money hungry beasts in good fettle.

I would also like to thank our sales team for their continued efforts in raising the funds we desperately need. Hats off to you good folk!!!

I will post again next week once we have confirmed load bank trials with HNRC.

Cheers Folks

Lee

345 Update

Evening All.

Here is an update with work ongoing on 345.

Firstly Colchester fuel injection reported that all 16 fuel pumps from 345's engine were worn out and required mainly new pump elements to be installed and 3 new delivery valves.

It was a relief that they found these issues with the pumps which is likely cause of the low horsepower issue we have experienced during recent load bank trials.

We expect the pumps and injectors will be returned to us within next week or so, however the cost of overhauling the pumps and testing the injectors is in the region of £5000 that we need to find. So if you can spare a few quid please donate it to our loco fund as it would help us out greatly and would be very much appreciated.

Our preservation officer James Bottomley found a fractured bedplate drain pipe which was causing leakage of oil and fuel onto the bogies, this pipe has been re-welded and now free of leaks. Thanks James for sorting this out.

GSMR

The GSMR system has now been fully approved by the ORR (Office of Rail Regulator) which means the loco once full re-certification is granted to run on Network Rail the loco is free to operate in GSMR and non GSMR area's.

A new software update has also been installed to the system in last few days.

The next step.....

Once the pumps and injectors arrive back we shall arrange a working party to re-fit them, run loco up and check for any fuel leaks, check each cylinder is firing etc;

We will then book a further load bank trial with HNRC to check the engine output and re-check engine is cooling correctly. We also need to check traction motor overloads and power earth fault circuits are working as per specification to ensure 345's major electrical equipment is protected.

I suspect when the loco is first load banked its likely that it will be producing too much power and will need to be adjusted down to 1780 HP at the rail as per specification in BR workshop overhaul manual.

Once we are happy with the results we will conclude final exam items and then book for the mainline registration exam to be undertaken and any subsequent corrective actions are completed.

More news soon.....

Cheers

Lee

D335 Update.

Hello again.

Sorry for lack of reports for last couple of weeks its been a hectic couple of weeks for me. 

Today I and Seton have carried out some work on D335 ready for the weekend. I began some of the work and Saturday and got it finished off today.

1)    Wheel slip indicator light fault, after some tracing through we found the fault to be No.1 end multiple working jumper cable  wire 21 within the cable of socket end is life expired or dirty soldered contacts are causing tracking across the socket. For now the wire has been disconnected from the cab gate and taped up.

2)    No.1 end bogie proportional valve slow release, fault traced to blocked up ports within relay valve manifold, these have been cleared for now but the manifold needs to be removed and cleaned out as there’s still rust inside which will probably cause issues in the future. This will need to be dealt with before loco moves on national network to the wheel lathe, hopefully in October.

3)    No.1 end bogie straight air brake proportional valve, this valve again gave trouble during 1T57 gala, after stripping again it was found that signal ports where obstructed with rust as per item 2 and will require the same treatment.

4)    No.1 end driver’s door which kept jamming shut has been dealt with today now opens and closes easily thanks to Seton’s efforts.

5)    Loco has been serviced ready for Saturday.

Andy Hardman’s Saturday gang are on with painting No.2 cab at present and doing a sterling job to, already looks cleaner and brighter.

Huge thanks to Seton Spencer for travelling down from Edinburgh to assist me with the work. 

If your not aware D335 is booked to work this weekend in lieu of 345 which was penciled in originally for its return to service. The tyre profiles have been checked again and I have given the green light on the loco's use providing that use is restricted and a re-check of the profiles is made regularly. 

Further to this D335 will be working our second diesel hauled dining training on 27th September 2013 use link details below for further details on this special working. 

CFPS website: www.cfps.co.uk/news/

ELR website: http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/food-drink/diner2011/book-online/

I will post an update on 345 to follow shortly.

Cheers

Lee

345 update as of 21.07.13

Evening everyone......

Today I have carried out borescope examination on 345's engine and I am pleased to report no issues were found other than general wear and tear.

I noted that some of the piston crowns have distinct signs of poor combustion due to poor injection which usually indicates injectors and pumps are worn out.

Colchester fuel injection who are currently overhauling 345's fuel pumps and testing the injectors reported on Thursday that out of the 4 pumps they have stripped down they have found they are very worn and their operating efficiency was far down from specified output from the pumps.

This was also good news as this confirms that the pumps are the likely cause to the low horsepower issues we experienced when the loco was load bank tested in June,

I am now awaiting an indicative price for the fuel pump overhaul which is likely to be around the £4000 pound mark. The overhaul is likely to take a further week or two to complete.

I was hoping to be able to show you some footage from the borescope checks but unfortunately the LED light on the borescope malfunctioned.

We ended up driving to Mansfield to pick up a replacement unit from Maplins to complete the checks.

A big thanks to John Stephens for his assistance, transport to and from Barrowhill and sorting out the replacement unit

A reminder that D335 will be running at the ELR next weekend taking part in the 45th Anniversary to end of steam (1T57 Gala) Featuring : D9009, D1501, D335 - Steam locomotives - 49395 (Super D) , 80080 (Standard 4 tank), 45407 (Black 5), 44871 (Black 5) & 70013 (Oliver Cromwell).

Follow this link:  http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/whats-on/elr-events/end-of-steam-festival/

This is very likely be D335 last passenger working until the loco has been tyre turned so please attend and show your support. The timetable with locomotive workings is yet to be released so keep and eye on ELR website.

The CFPS will also be having a sales stand present during the event so please feel free and pop down and say hello and buy something from our fine sales stock.

More news to follow soon.........

Cheers

Lee

This weekend ...... 335 and 345.

Hi everyone.....

Following a re-measure of the tyres on D335 with thin flanges I am allowing 335 a further outing this weekend to work diesel diagram on both Saturday and Sunday at the ELR.

The turn was originally booked for 20087 but unfortunately the 20 is stopped with electrical fault at present.

On Sunday Its intended to carry out the borescope exam on 345's engine whilst the injectors are out being refurbished. A bore scope is a small camera with an LED which allows inspection of the engine internals by putting camera down the injector pocket I am hoping I will be able to record and capture some of the footage and place on the blog page early next week for those interested.

More news soon......

Cheers

Lee

Diesel Gala and D335

Evening everyone......

I am pleased to report D335 ran very well over diesel gala and sounded absolutely superb when she hauled the beerex up the bank to Heywood with 6 coaches and two class 50's dead on the rear and did not miss a beat.

D335 also covered a footplate experience course the Tuesday before the gala due to problems with 37324's radiators.

The CFPS sales team did well also over the 3 days bringing in some £1200 into society coffers and we also did well with raffle ticket launch over the weekend too. Well done gang ................

Saturday 13th July.

D335 will be moved to Castlecroft depot this week for the cabs and engine room to be repainted by diesel group volunteers if you wish to assist with this please let me know so I can advise Andy Hardman to expect  .
A big thanks to Andy and diesel group volunteers for their kind offer of help.

Saturday / Sunday 20th/21st July

Next weekend after society committee meeting  I will be continuing maintenance work on D335 and prepping loco ready for 1T57 event at the end of July. Again if your free and wish to help please advise me so I know who is coming and I can allocate work accordingly.

Drop me an email on email address below if you wish to help out on the locos.

I hope you enjoyed the ELR diesel event as much as I did it was an excellent run event and well praised by visiting loco owners, crews and passengers.

If anyone has any photos of D335 from last weekend please feel free to send them to me.

Please feel free to comment on the event if you wish I will pass any comments and improvement ideas onto event organizer.

Cheers
email address : engineering@cfps.co.uk

Lee

345 update.

Evening All .......

Another update on 345 progress.

The fuel pumps and injectors have been dispatched today to Colchester Fuel Injection for overhaul and should take around 3 - 4 weeks to complete then another week to refit the to power unit. The loco will then go back on the load bank for further testing and setting up.

The cost for overhaul and repair of fuel pumps and injectors will be around £4500 - £5000 pounds.

During the few weeks whilst injectors and fuel pumps are away I intend to bore scope the cylinder lines to check for any damage or distress on piston crowns and liners and carry out assessment on the wear on the engine.

On Sunday I stripped and repaired the low water level switch and wiring to the switch which was causing WTR relay to remain energized even when coolant header tank was empty. The wiring issue was also probably causing the high water temperature switch not to function correctly as its operated via the same relay I will test this next time I am at Barrowhill.

I will keep you posted as further news come in on 345.

Reminder to everyone D335 will be operating during the diesel gala this weekend check the ELR website for further details.

Cheers

Lee

CFPS Engineering Blog picture page added

Evening all ...................

I have started to receive a number of pictures from our engineering team but there's not a lot of room on the blog page to fit them all in so I have created a Flickr page for pictures that have been sent.

I hope you enjoy the new addition to our new blog page.

Click link on the blog or use this one - http://www.flickr.com/photos/98322611@N02/

Cheers

Lee