Great Northern Rebuild 2013
By Gary T, Chris G, Mark B
Mike B, Mike B, Alan L
This locomotive has done an incredible amount of work. It was built in1997 and the club acquired it in 1999. The loco has received very little maintenance, and this project was to be expected to last till about March. After further examination to the work involved this will not be the case. Key dates below show how it was done.
Jan 8th Looking in to rebuild at BG
Jan 15th Body windows cut out Bogies repair OR rebuild?
Jan 22nd Tuesday looks like we need some new bits.
February Not many photos at all. The lads have been busy moving the oil cooler to the front of the locomotive.
March Mark is making a new control panel for the cab
April Slow progress Chris Greene has replace the wheels and painted the bogies.
June Garry now has the body at his work shop.
July Work well under way on the body fitting a fan in the body. Bogies finished new petrol tack fitted at BG
October Great Northern had a test run at a birthday party and passed with flying colours less the body.
November seen the body return from Garry and fitted ready for Bonfire night
January 8th 2013
A start is made to see what is need to be rebuilt or repaired. As you can see all very untidy or in a state of needing some attention.
15th January 2013
Garry cut out the ventilators and windows on the body shell with his jigsaw - there now remains a lot of filing! - Also assisted, Mark B and Chris while Mark B removed the wiring loom and disconnected everything in sight! The bogies were removed, and it was then that the extent of repair/replacement became apparent. The front gearbox on the front bogie does not drive, and the prop. shafts have grooves worn into them caused by rubbing on the frame stretchers. The wheels are also very worn. This loco has done an incredible amount of work over the years with very little maintenance, and so this was to be expected. However, taking the bogies apart is no easy matter, as the wheels have to be removed before we can access the gearboxes etc. It is hoped to carry out this operation next week, weather permitting.
What is apparent is that the locomotive will not be back in service for many months - sorry Chris!!
22nd January 2013
Allan L, Mike B & Mike B with Chris G working on the front axle gear box.
February 2013
Not many photos coming in on the project. The oil cooler has been moved to the front of the locomotive to make space and access better at the back.
March 2013
Mark has been busy making the control panel in the cab after finishing the move of the oil cooler
Sunday 21st April 2013
Slow progress Chris Green and myself replaced the wheels on the bogies today. Chris had sprayed the bogies last Tuesday ready for today. Chris also started to replace the brake gear and has done one bogie so far. Mike had repaired the exhaust system and replaced it.
Thursday 6th June update 2013
The body shell of Great Northern has now been transferred to Garry's workshop where the window and ventilator cut outs have now been cleaned up and filled as required.
All the original fans, lights etc have been removed, and the next stage is to cut out a hole in the roof for a new cooling fan, and to create a hinged door to give access to the petrol tank filler.
A start has been made on the construction of the first of two 5' 0" long grilles which run the length of the locomotive and cover the ventilator cut outs
July 2013
Still at Garry's works the body goes thought some major changes in it appearance.
Work at the club. Other photos of the control panel, final drive, finished bogies and new fuel tank
November 2013
November see the rebuild coming to a close The body all been repainted and repaired The chassis been full overhauled, with lots of new extra things added. We await the cast side frames for the wheels sets They will make her look the part for sure.
Side pannels added in Feb 2014
The Model as it should be and the real thing full size
