The Task in hand!

Work on the overhaul of Austerity No9 started in June 2019. The blog was started in June 2021 so photos and text will be added as the work progressed through that period. Because of the Covid pandemic work was interupted during that time but the intention is to restore Austerity No9 to working condition as an N.C.B locomotive in blue. Work continues.............

4 May 2025

Running boards and eccentric straps.

 Over the last month all the old running boards were used as templates for the new ones and countless holes for rivets were drilled. Other holes for pipework were also cut using hole cutters and the plasma cutter was used to make the sandbox holes. The rivet holes were all countersunk. The plates were put on the engine to check for alignment and bolted down. They were then taken off, cleaned and primed on the underside, and will be placed back on the engine for riveting. The 3 eccentric straps that were originally on the engine are back on and the 4th one, which was purchased, will be white metalled before it joins them. The smokebox ring and the throatplate have been removed from the boiler barrel, both to be replaced. Riveting next!

The rear left hand plate being lowered into position.

Underside of same plate primed.

Front of cab floor showing holes for pipework and damper levers cut out.

All new plates trial-fitted in place. Will be primed underneath.

Cab floor primed by Dave Griffiths.

3 of the 4 eccentric straps in place.

Boiler barrel with throat plate and smokebox ring still in place.

Boiler barrel less ring and throatplate.