The Restoration Story - the 3rd year - 1996
As 1996 commenced, gallons of paint were still being applied throughout the loco. A lubricating oil priming pump had been obtained and was being overhauled. This was then fitted into the radiator fan compartment. The recently arrived radiator fan had been stripped down into it's components parts and was being cleaned and painted ready for re-assembly.
The covers from the electrical cubicle were removed, cleaned, rubbed down, under coated and then given a fresh coat of 'willow green', the colour we have used for the internal painting. Inside the cubicle, a fully rebuilt 'start' panel was replaced and connected up. The Auxiliary Voltage Regulator was cleaned and a new trimming potentiometer fitted.
Right: A piston is removed during 1996. Photo by Kev Jarvis
The route indicator mechanisms were removed through the nose ends and overhauled. The cab heaters were just about complete and the hot plates refitted and wired up on the 2nd man's side of the cab.
On the bogies, the missing cab foot steps were being replaced and attention given to 'freeing up' all of the brake cylinders. The reconditioned side skirts were also refitted. The remaining bits of snow plough were removed with the help of a burning lamp and work started on the reconditioning of the various bits and pieces associated with the brake mechanisms and sanding gear.
During April, the fuel injectors were also taken off site for overhaul. The repairs to the electrical junction boxes were completed at both ends.
Quite a lot of work was necessary to replace and repair the various air and electrical systems associated with the D.S.D.(drivers safety device) with most of this being carried out during the Spring of '96. Wiper motors were fitted to the cab window frames, power handles replaced and the electrical connections in the power controller repaired and checked.
Newly purchased letter and number blinds were fitted into the overhauled route indicator mechanisms. The complete units were then replaced in the nose ends, Prior to this, the marker light panels had been cut away. Newly cut glass was then fitted in it's place. The last of the missing bodyside and cab glass was also put back around this time.
The summer of '96 was a very productive time with the cabs and nose ends being virtually completed except for a few minor items. Pistons and liner overhaul was proceeding steadily and a start was made on overhauling the fan clutch mechanism. '215 has the direct drive version rather than the temperature controlled electro-magnetic type.
During the July GWR Diesel Week we put '215 over the inspection pit again and made a start on replacing the missing traction motor covers and also started to clean and reconnect the traction motor cables. The brush boxes were cleaned and new carbon brushes fitted where necessary. The speedometer generator and potentiometer were replaced and '215 was dragged up and down the yard by 47105 to test the speedo' readings. All was OK.
The Autumn of 1996 saw one of our new working volunteers starting the task of cleaning and painting the bogies, fuel tank and redundant water tank.
Back in the cabs, all of the cab floor securing holes were re-tapped and the floor put back down. The bodyside filter casings had been overhauled off-site and these were returned, wrapped in plastic bags and refitted to the engine room and nose ends to keep any dust generated from bodywork repairs out of the various electrical components and away from the power unit work.
A start was made on cleaning and painting all of the various water, air and oil pipes that had been removed from the power unit. We also made a start on cleaning all of the 'rocker gear' and cam followers that were stored in the van.
The turbo chargers were freed up and a new end plate fitted where one was missing. Both were then filled with oil. As the winter approached most attention turned inside where good progress was being made with the engine compartment painting and pistons/liner overhaul program. In the week leading up to Christmas, the first of the cylinder heads went back on.