The compressor and drive shaft frame recieved some attention stripping off the old paint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The area below where the compressor frame fits on the loco was thoroughly cleaned.

During the week the remaining elements required for B side were painted through to their top coat, thanks to Andy managing to sneak a few visits in during the week. This allowed them to be sprayed in atin black and have the vibration pads glued in position before being installed on the manifold, giving B side of the cooler group a completed look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With most of the items installed in the cooler group tunnel, Ricky was sent in for another clean down of dust and debris before "touching-up" the paint – the bits knocked when installing the larger components that is! Although an integral part of the manifold, the two large water pipes on the A side manifold was painted blue for completeness!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DO NOT APPROACH THIS (SCARY) MAN!

Steve pauses for a photo whilst working on stripping the old paint off one of the radiator grilles.

 

The first radiator element grille had it's paint stripping ordeal finished, and now awaits priming. Inside the radiator tunnel the last two flexible pipes had new seals fitted and were installed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The studs for the radiator elements on A side were installed in the bottom manifold rail. The two curved brackets which support the curved roof to grille panels over the radiator elements, were painted in undercoat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The junction box for the traction motor cooling fan motor was painted in the identification colour for electrical items – orange. The four small brackets for the flexible pipes in the cooler group were stripped of their old paint, and recieved a coat of primer.

One of the grille doors for the filters of the aftercooler compartment recieved the treatment of the wire wheel to remove it's old paint. One of the large grilles from over the radiator elements recieved further attention. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The compressor frame was stripped down and received a power wash to remove the years of grease and oil build up. All the pipework and valves removed from the frame were also cleaned.

 

The last three radiator elements required for B side were painted in their top coat. The other radiator elements previously prepared had the vibration pads fitted, and the front faces sprayed in satin black. Once the elements had been painted the flange faces were cleaned and the elements were fitted.

The A side manifold had all the flange faces cleaned in readiness for the manifold fitting. Gaskets were made for the coolant pipe flange connections to the manifold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the gaskets had been made, the top flange pipe was fitted before the manifold was lifted up and bolted into position on the cooler group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst the A-frame was in poition it was decided to make full use of this. Heavy items which will receive attention once the cooler group is completed were removed in readiness. The two compressors were lowered along with a third spare one which had been placed on the solebar. Next the compressor mounting and adjusting plate framework, which also has the drive shaft and numerous pipes and valves fitted, was disconnected in readiness for removal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The compressor mounting framework was lifted clear of the loco, revealing a dirty greasy bedplate floor below. Removal of this framework will allow easier access to this area for cleaning and repainting once the cooler group has been completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The coolant pipework from A side manifold was joined up to the pipes installed from B side manifold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst the lifting was being carried out, further preparation was continuing with one of the radiator side grilles. The radiator elements recieved their next coat of paint required.

The remainder of the radiator elements required for B side, had their end castings stripped back to metal and recieved priming, and others previously treated  were painted in undercoat.

One of the radiator tunnel inspection covers that originally came with 58016 was different to the other 5, instead of having a chanel and seal around the outside, it was simply a flat piece of metal with a handle welded on. A sample was taken to a fabricators, and a replacement was made to the correct pattern. This was recieved today and is shown awaiting painting. One of the large grilles that covers the radiator elements on the side of the loco was retrieved from storage and work began stripping off the old layers of paint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 11 tested, painted and completed radiator elements had anti-vibration pads fitted to the sides of the elements. These pads are ribbed rubber with a metal back. The rubber ribs are glued inbetween the radiator fins on the side, with the metal facing outwards. When the radiator elements are fitted, these pads touch and keep the elements a set distance apart, preventing the fins from vibrating against each other. Once the pads were fitted and the glue set, all 11 radiator elements were fitted to B side of the cooler group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sloping sides of A side required a second coat of interior matt grey, so the top leading to the fans and also the inspection windows were masked off and then the whole area was sprayed. The manifold which sits in this area was also sprayed with it's final coat of interior light grey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another 6 radiator elements were thoroughly cleaned and prepared, whilst the 4 in undercoat recieved their top coat of light grey.

The four previously primed radiator element castings were painted in light grey undercoat. A further two elements had their old paint removed from the end castings.

With the new year welcomed in, work on the cooler group was continued – with the knowledge we can proudly say we will finish it this year! One of the compressor aftercooler pipe assemblies was sprayed in light grey undercoat, along with the manifold from A side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four more radiator elements had their ends stripped and cleaned before painting in green primer.

 

WOULD LIKE TO

 

WISH EVERYONE

 

ALL THE BEST FOR

 

2012!