34039 Boscastle WC class

Here is a view of the front of the boiler. We need to buy 112 small tubes, 32 large tubes and 32 superheater elements (edit!).....plus a few more stays etc!

 

Remind me @Flying Phil , does Boscastle now have one of the new inner fireboxes in situ? I'm a bit rusty, excuse the pun, on what work has been undertaken away from the GCR?

 

Hi Rob
Yes it does have a new inner firebox and syphons. Much of the sides of the outer firebox are new and the rear of the firebox. There is still some work to do though, before re-tubing.

 

Aren’t large tubes and superheater flue tubes the same thing? Do you mean elements for one of the 32’s?

 

Quite correct Steve...touch of brain fade..... now edited.

 

There are Boscastle Shed Tours being offered this coming weekend at Loughborough and an information stand at Quorn in the marquee. There has been further progress on replacing stolen parts and getting the tender brake system finished.

 

I joined a Boscastle shed tour recently. I found it fascinating to see the various locos at different stages of overhaul. You really get an insight into just how much of the work depends on bespoke hand finishing and fitting, as opposed to bolting on prefabricated components. I now have a better understanding of why overhauls take such a long time to complete, even if the funding is there. I highly recommend the shed tour, but don't wear white trainers!

 

Thanks Kylchap, glad that you enjoyed the tour.
Next weekend Aug 16/17th sees the Railways at Work Gala on the GCR with Boscastle Shed Tours in operation from 10.30 to 3.30 on both days. There is also a display on the platform where you can see how Boscastle has changed over the years.

 

How are the group getting on with replacing the items that were stolen, often it's the cost of the machining the replacements that's the real problem, have you got on site machinery that you turn the castings into the finished items, or does it have to be done elsewhere?

 

Hi Martin
We are steadily getting replacements for the 90 odd parts stolen. Most are being made on site, the GC has a good workshop, others have been purchased (not many), the three main valve gear forgings have been very difficult to source but we are hopefully sorted. There has been an intrim insurance payment but we still need to raise more money to cover the cost of the loss. It has taken so much time though from a very small team.

 

There are Boscastle Guided Shed Tours in operation on Saturday (4th) and Sunday (5th) of the Autumn Steam Gala. These do not need to be booked and run regularly from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
There is also a platform display outside the General Waiting Room at the North end of Loughborough platform. Please come along and chat to members of the team.


In the shed, more cladding is being prepared and tender brake gear is being finishing off.

 

A lot has been happening recently and the Boscastle Locomotive Limited AGM took place on Saturday at Lovatt House in Loughborough.
There was good news from the Chairman that, with the help of our existing shareholders purchasing more shares, the support from both the GCR and DCRT and our new fundraising initiatives, the majority of the money to be raised is now in place. This means that there is a realistic timetable for Boscastle to be steaming within the next two to three years. It will be based on the GCR for the majority of its next boiler ticket.
It is planned that the boiler will be put temporarily on the frames to ensure that the new sections can be accommodated, pipe runs trialled, cladding checked etc, before it is taken off again and goes away for final specialist welding and stay work.
Speaking of cladding, one of the backhead sheets has been taken for repair by the Windcutter team as they have a fair degree of sheet metal expertise and they offered to help Boscastle!