‘ATLANTIC’ BOILER PREPARES FOR HYDRAULIC TEST
Beachy Head’s boiler is being prepared for a hydraulic test at the Bluebell Railway, and work has recommenced on the tender for the replica LBSCR ‘Atlantic’.
The former GNR boiler has been moved outside No. 32424’s ‘Atlantic House’ base at Sheffield Park for the hydraulic test. The Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group has ordered platework for the smokebox and parts for the ashpan, and begun assembling the boiler cladding crinolines.
Ultrasonic tests are being carried out on the axles of the LBSCR ‘C2X’ tender wheelsets, and this will be followed by fitting of the air, vacuum, steam‑heat and injector pipework to the LBSCR ‘B4’ tender frames. Drawings are being finalised for the tank, which is expected to be built by an outside contractor.
With £200,000 still needed to complete the engine, a number of components are available to sponsor – a full list can be downloaded from https://bit.ly/2NuPouL Alternatively, contact David Jones (Atlantic Project Treasurer), 3 Nutley Mill Road, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5PD.