Sandboxes Old & New!

 Due to the "loss or misplacement" of the right hand trailing sandbox a new one had to be fabricated. We had already started forming the 45 angle, as can be seen in the previous post. All the parts were then tack welded together, making sure an exact copy of the other 3 was achieved. The joints were then welded and ground smooth using flap disc. An alteration presented itself with the realisation that it would be impossible to attach the plate on the top of the sandbox for the lever unless a thin, long armed person could reach in through the opening to secure the bolts! New plates were made, the old sandboxes had a hole cut using the plasma cutter and the new plates welded in. The plates holding the lever were then bolted on - from the outside!!

Right trailing sandbox tack welding.

 

 

 

 

2nd side and bottom placed for fitting prior to tack weld.

Sandbox back, sides & top tack welded.

 RH trailing sand hole closed. Bottom of the lever is on the right.

 RH trailing sand hole open. The sand pipe will be fitted to this. Mechanical supply!

Sandbox lever plate. This will be welded in place.

 

New RH trailing sandbox complete.

3 original sandboxes and the new one - levers still to be fitted.

3 original sandboxes refurbed + levers fitted.

All 4 sandboxes, including the new on the right, refurbed + levers fitted.

And on the 24th March Austerity No 9 was back in The Shed to continue her overhaul. The next stage is to remove the firebox wrapper and inspect the damage caused by circumstances outwith The Strathspey Railways control, and to remove the middle driving wheels to measure for new tyres.

 

No 9 - back in The Shed on 2 road. Firebox wrapper to be cut off to examine damage.

No 9 - new ashpan resting on the footplate.