DSCF2202.JPG The team get to grips with our next project - P Class tank 1178 DSCF2205.JPG Phil starts work with cleaning up the running plate DSCF2206.JPG 1178's cylinder block is cleaned up DSCF2207.JPG One of 1178's axleboxes DSCF2210.JPG A view of 1178 from inside the cab looking towards the smokebox DSCF2213.JPG Another views of 1178's frames DSCF2215.JPG Rear end of 1178 DSCF2219.JPG Laurence cleans up one of 1178's tanks DSCF2221.JPG A view of 1178's cylinder block from underneath IMG_0104.JPG 1178's new boiler tubes were being cleaned up by some of the team IMG_0108.JPG The boiler was also receiving a washout IMG_0109.JPG A view inside the boiler from where the front tubeplate would be IMG_0112.JPG The throatplate was also cleaned up and given a protective coat of paint. IMG_0117.JPG Phil was loosening the stud nuts on the boiler. IMG_0132.JPG Another view of the boiler destined for 1178. This boiler is actually the original boiler from 323 - Bluebell, when it arrived on the railway in 1960. IMG_0134.JPG Ian and new volunteer Duncan were cleaning up the boiler tubes and adding a protective coat of paint. IMG_0137.JPG The boiler is now in the works and work has started on removing foundation ring rivets IMG_0138.JPG The front end of the barrel is also being cleaned up, ready for it's new tubeplate. IMG_0140.JPG Some of the stay heads have been removed as well, as parts of the boiler plate will need replacing. IMG_0144.JPG The team were split up into pairs, with them working on a side each. IMG_0145.JPG Plenty more work to do yet! IMG_0149.JPG Part of the outer firebox has now been removed IMG_0155.JPG The lower section of the outer firebox has been removed. IMG_0158.JPG Another view of the section removed. The section on the other side was removed later in the day. IMG_0159.JPG The removed section of plate. IMG_0162.JPG Phil working on removing rivets on the other side IMG_0168.JPG Phil burning out rivets IMG_0169.JPG The remains of one of the rivets IMG_0299.JPG Work has begun on removing the stays from the boiler IMG_0301.JPG This now awaits replacement plate and new stays IMG_0304.JPG Some stays could be removed with stilsons so needed to be drilled out IMG_0306.JPG Stays being drilled out P1000139.JPG Ian works on burning out the last few rivets on the front plate P1000146.JPG One of the rivets being burnt out P1000149.JPG A view of the back and one side of the firebox. Work is progressing on forming the new plate to go on the back. P1000151.JPG A view of the back of the firebox awaiting fitting of a new section of steel plate P1000155.JPG The front plate has now been removed. Duncan is seen here needle gunning the foundation ring. P1000159.JPG The new backplate being trial fitted. It will be cut down to size once we are happy with the fit. P1000161.JPG Another view of the new backplate. Since this photo was taken we have started to form the plate for the front section of the firebox. P1000164.JPG Phil and Ben check what work needs to be done to clean up the edge of the existing plate now it has been cut. P1000183.JPG Ian and Phil grind down the edge of the cut section of throatplate P1000187.JPG The new front section of the outer firebox trial fitted P1000188.JPG The new section of plate on the front is trial fitted P1000190.JPG A view from the side of the front and back plates being trial fitted P1000191.JPG A view of the new back section. P1000192.JPG A view of the new back section of the outer firebox. These section have been formed using the railways 50 ton hydraulic press. However there is still plenty of work to be done before they can be welding in place. P1000194.JPG Duncan and Ian looking pleased with the days work. P1000197.JPG Ian models the piece of welding rod that acted as a template when forming the curves on the front and back plates. P1000205.JPG Phil starts to heat the corner of the front plate P1000206.JPG The front plate being heat prior to being hammered into the required shape. P1000208.JPG The boiler plate almost ready for hitting P1000212.JPG Duncan and Phil hammering the plate P1000216.JPG A view from above. This shows the inner firebox at the top, then foundation ring and finally at the bottom of the picture, the new plate. This will need the heat treatment several times until it fits tightly against the foundation ring. P1000376.JPG The front plate has now been tack welded in place. Also the central mudhole door has been cut out. P1000377.JPG Another view of the front plate P1000378.JPG The rear plate has now also been welded in place. P1000380.JPG Phil was working on the patch screws inside the firebox P1000381.JPG Dun was drilling out pilot holes for one of the side plates of the outer firebox P1000382.JPG Another view of Duncan's handy work P1000384.JPG The other side plate was being ground down it preparation of fitting to the firebox. P1000415.JPG Whilst the boiler is being worked on by paid staff, the gang have been tending to any areas of rust above the frames. P1000416.JPG A view of 'Nettle' looking towards the works. The boiler in front is from the H-Class P1000417.JPG Some of the primer paint had begun to flake. To prevent it from rusting, this was stripped back and fresh primer added/ P1000419.JPG A view of 178 from the front P1000421.JPG The boiler is progressing well. P1000422.JPG Welding work continues and Ben was countersinking the holes for the rivets P1000423.JPG A closeup of on the the new side plates P1000425.JPG A view of the new backplate P1000427.JPG A view of the other side of 178 boiler. P1000428.JPG Patch screws are now being added to the inner firebox P1000431.JPG The backplate has now been rivetted in place P1000432.JPG A view of the backplate from the outside P1000433.JPG Another view of the backplate rivetted into position P1000441.JPG Phil and Duncan drilling in preparation for Stays to be fitted P1000442.JPG The foundation ring has now been rivited to the new sections of plate P1000445.JPG A view of the inner firebox. P1000448.JPG Holes being drilled in prep for stays to be fitted. P1000477.JPG 1178 chassis enters the works P1000480.JPG 1178 chassis in the works ready to be lifted off it's wheels P1000484.JPG The cab, tanks and wheels had been removed by the end of the day. P1000486.JPG 1178 frames sit on a wagon loaned by the P-Way dept. P1000487.JPG 1178's wheels await cleaning up and painting in it's new livery P1000489.JPG The frames have started to be painted im 178's new livery. P1000492.JPG The inside of the frames have been painted as well. P1000493.JPG The back of the inside frames are being painted black. P1000495.JPG A view of the 1st coat of paint on the outside of the frames. P1000498.JPG The boiler is progressing well. P1000499.JPG It won't belong before the boiler can be trial fitted in the frames to lineup the tubeplate P1000501.JPG 178's frames have now entered the works P1000503.JPG 178's new tubeplate P1000504.JPG 323 'Bluebell' new tubeplate being drilled out. The tubeplate from 178 was used as a template P1000510.JPG Don't worry, 178 isn't going to be outshopped as Percy. This is just undercoat for it's SECR livery. P1000515.JPG The wheels have received their first coats of undercoat P1000516.JPG The outside of the frames were receiving their top coat. P1000519.JPG The firebox is almost complete. P1000520.JPG The holes for the blowdown valve has been drilled out P1000521.JPG They stays are now all in and have been dressed. P1000523.JPG The vacuum cylinder is ready for fitting P1000525.JPG The tubeplate has been fitted to the smokebox wrapper ready for trial fitting P1000528.JPG The slidebars have now been fitted to 178's frames P1000530.JPG Nettle's frames have been lined out P1000531.JPG The bunker has recieved a darker shade of green undercoat. P1000533.JPG The wheels are in SECR green top coat P1000534.JPG Nettle's frames will soon be reunited with it's wheels.