Guard irons, vacuum brake and steam pipework.

 4 new guard irons have been sourced and alterations made. Some 3.5" had to be cut off to make them fit and the holes reamed to the correct size. All were primed, and fitted to No 9 and given a coat of midnight blue. It is nigh impossible to tell from old photos what colour they were but the consensus is - blue! They wouldn't stay that colour for very long working at a colliery. The vacuum pipework was retrieved from the wagon and grit blasted and primed. The long pipes may need to be replaced. Brackets have been made to support the pipes. Next job is the fitting.

 

4 new guard irons primed.

Cutting 3.5" of to fit on No 9.

 

Squared edge shaped.

 

On in midnight blue!

The vacuum pipework cleaned, grit blasted and primed awaiting further attention. 4 new brackets have ben formed.

Some of the pipework primed.

Nick applying heat to form the bracket.

2 partially formed brackets - and an original.

The jig that Alan made to form the new brackets. Applying heat to bend the fixing points round.

Brackets undercoated.

                                    
 

Bunker progress etc.

 The internal supports for the bunker have been riveted in place, primed and top coated in black. Possibly never to be seen again as 2.3 tons of coal will be covering them! The bunker and cab roof have been given a top finish coat of black (as promised) and the cab has also been given a top finish of black. The riveting on the coal door has been done, along with a straightener/strenghtener. 2 countersunk bolts had to be used at the top on one side as it was impossible to rivet inside the locker.The window frames have been fitted, although the glass will be put in at a later date. New guard irons have been sourced and another job will be the vacuum brake pipework which required making new brackets.

Straightener and support inside bunker.

Wire brushed & primed. Riveting still to do.

Bunker undercoated.

 

 LH straightener in bunker primed.  

Coal door guides riveted. 2 bolt top left replaced with countersunk - locker. 

 

Coal door strenghtener ready for riveting. Done

 

 

Rear window frames.
 

Nick applying black finish in bunker. 

Inside cab black with cream ceiling for light.

 Cab roof in black.

A new handle or knob for one of the rear window frames. Alan's work! 

A separate posting will see the guard irons and vacuum pipe work covered. 

 

 

Cab roof, bunker and window frames.

 On the 5th of January the bunker was lowered into position and the weld area ground clean.The cab roof was then attached and bolted to the bunker allowing the correct positioning for welding the bunker to the cab sides. John Bratchell-Hunt completed the job and primer was applied. The corroded part of the locker had been cut away by Alan and JB-H welded in the replacement. The bottom sheets, initially tack welded to the bunker, were welded, cleaned and primed. Drilling the holes to attach the uprights inside the bunker was tricky as the weld had bowed the top & bottom - a sturdy piece of wood straightened this and the angle irons maintained the structures integrity when the wood was removed. Strentheners will be put in between these and the rear of the bunker, again to stop coal distorting the structure. 3 lamp brackets were attached to the rear of the engine. A raiding party, Alan & Roddie, went in search of window frames and handles etc as they can now be put on. The glass need replacing as it is either cracked, broken, scratched or missing. Lots of riveting comes next!

Weld area ground clean.

 

Bunker & roof attached.

Cab roof on.

McRae & French posing - never!

Bottom sheet tack welded on.

Drilling the angle iron support holes.

The replaced corroded locker base, primed.

3 lamp brackets on rear of bunker.

Windows & glass retrieved from wagon. Glass will be replaced.

Cab roof door handle.

Front left window catch.

Nathan in a snowy tele-handler delivering the bunker.

Cab roof - the add-ons!

 Along with riveting the beading around the bunker and cab roof, ( the positioner keeps the rivet gun on the rivet, not allowing it to deviate) priming and painting, other important tasks have been undertaken. The cab roof has been mostly undercoated and the roof will be black. We have been unable to locate the cab back door handle. It will be somewhere in amongst all the other parts still to go back on No 9 and  will turn up after Alan has made a new one. Matthew Murphie at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway provided some images, with measurements, of one they have there.Thank you Matthew. The mechanical lubricators have been put in place and connected to the motion, painted in red & midnight blue. Nathan has made a new cottar pin and, like the handle for the cab roof door, will appear like magic! Right hand injector has now been put back on. We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy & safe 2026!

46 rivets in beading and uprights, primed.

                                  

Bunker beading on and uprights rivets ground and painted.

Gun, jamback and positioner (explanation in text) in place.

Rivets primed on cab roof  beading.

Cab roof back door on. Catch required. 

Cab roof door handle - Matthew's photo.

Both mechanical lubricators in place and painted.

Cab roof undercoated. It will be black.

Right hand injector on.

 

Beading, grit blasting and a bit of paint!

 A month has passed and the beading for the back of the bunker has been formed ready for riveting. A bit of heat and the corner bend was perfect. All the holes were drilled on the bunker so we are ready to go! The hatch on the cab roof has been welded in place by John Bratchell-Hunt. Watching the weather forecast for a dry day finally produced the goods and on Thursday 4th December we grit blasted both the bunker and the cab roof. These were quickly taken into the shed and both the cab roof the bunker were primed. Some repair work is needed on the locker and the base was cut out using the plasma cutter. Brian Warrender put a first coat of Midnight Blue on the front left hand running board and Nathan and Tyler put the injector on the same side. Riveting next, lots of protective painting, and cab and bunker back on. Thank again for all the help in the restoration of No 9!

Beading ready for the corner bend. Some heat applied and a gentle push - done.

 

Alan holding the beading in place to check.

The hatch ready in place for welding. The dogs hold it and are removed when finished.

John B-H working on the hatch.

The hatch (sunroof) welded in place. Lovely job!

 

Grit blasting the bunker. It looks worse than it is! Well protected from the detritus.

 

Nick blasting the cab roof.

Alan on the inside of the cab roof.

Bunker primed. Edges left clean for welding to the frame.

Cab roof welded inside and primed. Wooden gauge plate removed.

Cab roof primed.

Base of locker cut away - corrosion.

1st coat of Midnight Blue on the running boards by Brian W.

Left hand injector in place by Nathan and Tyler.