2024 PROGRESS UPDATE

Things have been rather quiet on the website so far this year as our small group of volunteers have been busy carrying out some major work on 47401.


Above: 47401 with cooler group removed.

Hidden corrosion in the locomotive's radiator headers was found to be the cause of some severe coolant loss, so the decision was taken to pull the locomotive from service and get to work removing the headers for repair. This involved removing the cooler group/auxiliary room roof which itself will recieve attention as it has been suffering from corrosion around its drainage channels.


Above: Lift in progress.

The opportunity has also been taken to carry out preemptive overhauls of selected machines whilst the auxiliary room is so accessible. Alongside this, the many air recievers within the locomotive are due for inspection and maintenance. As many of the larger tanks are situated in the auxiliary room, the removal of the cooler group has also enabled this to take place at the same time.


Above (L to R): Auxiliary room from above with roof section removed, and the last air tank to be extracted.


Above (L to R): The offending radiator headers, and the stripped down cooler group.

We are now in a position where everything that needed to be removed from the locomotive has been, and the overhaul of the various components is beginning. Much work still lies ahead, but once complete this work will mean that '401 will be back stronger than before and ready for years to come. Watch this space for further updates.