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 August 2026

Removal of old baffles & clearing out of detritus!

To facilitate work on the inside of the saddle tank the footplate ends were partially removed. These were corroded where the water is fed to the boiler and were needing replaced. New plates have been fabricated and will be welded back into place. This allowed Tyler Playfair to gain entry and has completed the removal of the old baffles and cleaned the rusted detritus from the tank. This was a great effort by the only human on site that could access the innards, being small, agile and fit enough for the task. An extractor fan provided fresh air at all times. I did get into the tank but was unable to even turn over! Hoovering removed the detritus from the water point on the bottom/top of the tank. The baffles, which were rusted and corroded, were removed and will be replaced with new one. We did discover one hidden baffle on the top which Nathan passed as acceptable on seeing photos. Shot blasting the tank is what is required now - weather permitting.

LH side cut out. This is of course upside down! Access now possible.
 
RH side with Tyler ready for work. 

One of the 6 baffles that were removed.



Extractor fan providing fresh air. Another baffle gone. 

Some of the detritus being hoovered via the water inlet.

The hidden baffle at the top of the tank.

All 6 new baffle plate primed.

Alan preparing the new tank end.

Where the detritus was pushed out - the water inlet.

                                               

A tight fit on the last baffle on the RH side!
 

Tyler 1 - tank 0! 

   

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