Camelot steams again in preparation for Bluebell ‘Giants of Steam' gala
BR Standard 5MT No. 73082 Camelot has steamed again at the Bluebell Railway following overhaul.
The Riddles 4-6-0 underwent a successful steam test, to its full boiler pressure of 225psi, at Sheffield Park on September 15, giving it a new 10-year boiler certificate. Test runs were expected to take place on September 23, and the engine is due to run at the line's Giants of Steam gala on October 8-10.
The ‘Standard Arthur' went into the works at the start of this year with a leaking firebox foundation ring, but the opportunity was taken to carry out additional boiler work in order to gain a fresh ticket, as well as mechanical maintenance on the locomotive's bottom end. Many of the boiler fittings have been refurbished, including the valve for the chime whistle.
Peter Gibbs, chairman of owning group the 73082 Camelot Locomotive Society, said: “It is an ex-BR fitting and has been prone to leakage, making the whistle sound rather ‘watery' at times.”
Crest change
A new boiler blowdown valve has also been fitted, and most of the ashpan replaced, with a water spray added to reduce dust when it is emptied. Grease lubrication has been added to the slides which carry the firebox feet and allow the boiler to move in the frames as it expands.
Pipework has also been refurbished or replaced where needed.
On the motion, most of the main rod bushes have been replaced, the expansion links reground and new die-blocks manufactured, while the brake rigging has also received new bushes where necessary. The coupled wheelsets were removed on the works' wheeldrop for the axlebox horn guides to be examined and reshimmed to the correct clearances.
The locomotive now carries the later BR crest for the first time in preservation, with the boiler cladding and tender having been repainted by Heritage Painting.
The cabsides were also changed to match the late crest, with the power class 5 above the number instead of the earlier ‘5P/5F', and a yellow triangle instead of the previous circle. The Southern Region's TIA water treatment system was originally denoted by the yellow circle, but it was quickly changed to a triangle to avoid confusion with the Western Region's route availability symbols. ➜ The 73082 Camelot Locomotive Society is appealing for funds to replenish its bank account, having contributed £35,000 towards the overhaul. To find out how you can help, and to read the story of how the group rescued the engine from Barry scrapyard and restored it, see our special feature on pages 52-57.