‘Mickey Mouse’ and Fairburn overhauls take shape at Haverthwaite

GOOD progress continues with the boiler overhaul of the Beet family’s Ivatt ‘2MT’ No. 46441. The lower throat plate has been drilled for the foundation ring rivets and the mud hole doors are now in place. Welding is now under way. On the chassis, machining of the first replacement piston head is complete – it just needs the core plugs inserted. The four valve spindle bushes have been machined to size and fitted within the valve end. The process of gapping the valve rings can now take place. The new cylinder end cover pattern equipment is complete and ready to pass directly to the foundry for casting. New gland plates for the main steam pipes have been fabricated. Painting of the driving wheels is under way. Meanwhile, a topcoat of paint is now being applied to the frames of Fairburn ‘4MT’ 2-6-4T No. 42085.