The small and large tubes for number 113 have been fitted and expanded into the firebox tube plate. Our pictures show the small tubes expanded and fitted and the setting up of the expanding machine for the large tubes. Not long to go now.
The hard work is paying off and the small tubes have now been placed in the boiler. The larger tubes have been swaged and will be fitted early next week. Not too long to go now!
The boiler tubes have now been swaged and annealed ready for fitment into the boiler of number 113. Our pictures show the tubes being swaged and then annealed and cooled by being covered with clean sand.
Lukas Nel and the Bloemfontein team have completed the fitting of all the copper ferrules in the firebox tube plate of number 113. Out pictures show the copper raw material, sealing the ferrules into the tube plate and the completed job.
The hard work continues at Bloemfontein with the copper ferrules being placed in the tube plate prior to the final fitting of the tubes. Our pictures show the delicate process of fitting the ferrules and a completed section of the tube plate. The ferrules are then expanded and act as a seal between the tube plate and the boiler tube when fitted.
James Hall Museum of Transport, Johannesburg, Open Day Saturday 17th February.
The James Hall Museum will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 17th February. Sandstone Heritage Trust has a close working relationship with the museum. The Lawley steam locomotive, NG97, at Sandstone is on loan from the museum and was restored by Sandstone to working order.
The museum is well worth a visit with varied exhibits ranging from a London bus to South Africa’s own electric car. For full details of the event click here to view
The repairs to and preparation of the front tube plate are now complete and the retubing will begin very shortly.
