The picture on the right is of the 72xx Prototype (7200) standing in the Up Yard siding at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Road, Quainton Nr Aylesbury, Bucks. The loco is being prepared for moving to another part of the railway centre and work to ensure that the boiler can be lifted is being undertaken by members. The heavy duty jacks at the front of the loco were used to lift the frames so that the wheels could be rotated to ensure they would be free for the shunt. To discover more about the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre where the Prototype is kept, visit their site.

A heavy duty crane was hired for the long awaited boiler lift. With baited breath the assembled group waited while the crane took the strain and lifted the boiler, firebox and ashpan weighing in excess of 15 tons clear of the frames. Work will now be required to remove the smoke tubes and to paint the boiler. The superheater tubes have already been removed by the working party.

Inspection revealed that the ash pan which is attached to the underside of the firebox in the picture on the left was in poor condition and will need to be rebuilt.

It was necessary to remove the ash pan from the boiler so that the boiler and firebox could be transported on the low loader trailer to its new storage area near the workshops. In the picture on the right the ash pan is being cut from the fire box. The frames of the loco which includes the wheels and other associated parts are to be sent to Swindon Heritage Engineering Ltd for further investigative dismantling and testing which cannot be undertaken at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre due to existing health and safety legislation. These workshops were chosen as they specialise in heavy engineering.

The following pictures are of members Chris and John preparing the needle guns for use so that corrosion can be stripped from the loco frame. Once the corrosion has been removed it is essential to paint the exposed metal without delay with several coats of special durable paint.

Frank and Duncan doing some essential corrosion proofing work.

Les supporting the leaf spring with a jack for the wheel turn.

The refurbished chassis of 7200 being loaded onto a lowloader at Swindon for the trip back to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre 12/12/06.

The refurbished chassis of 7200 ready to depart Swindon for the trip back to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre 12/12/06.

The refurbished chassis of 7200 on her way back to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre 12/12/06.

The refurbished chassis of 7200 from Swindon being pushed into undercover storage at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre 13/12/06.

Modified 2 September 2009
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