The Mid Hants Railway has released an update on the restoration of steam locomotive 35005 Canadian Pacific.

Currently, weeks go by with nothing much to report, and then it all happens at once.

Work is progressing slowly with the frames at Eastleigh Works. The volunteers are continuing to work on the lubrication pipework. The workers are attempting to make sense of the “chaos” of the pipework.

A small, but visual change to the locomotive, has taken place in the delivery of the window frames. These have now been fitted to the cab.

The window frames are made of bronze, which are different compared to the West Country Swanage’s which are made from wood.

Work on the tender is progressing with the volunteers working on the tender frames one day a week. They have been cleaning and painting the frames to help access the framework. However, the inner framework has deteriorated and the Wednesday Gang have been cutting out the rotten platework. After testing, it became clear that 9 of 12 were cracked. It has now been decided that all 12 axlebox horn gliders will be replaced. It is hoped that this will ensure a longer working life for the tender.

At Ropley, work is progressing on the bogie and trailing truck. The Eastleigh volunteers have been helping to paint the wheels. New welding equipment has now arrived which means that the workers can progress with bronze welding the axleboxes. This moves them one step closer to moving the bogie and trailing truck to Eastleigh.

The boiler is coming on leaps and bounds. James Kidd has progressed with the welding of the back plate to the boiler. This task is almost complete. It makes a real difference to seeing parts being put on, rather than being taken off.

A big step has been made on the boiler with the start of the work on the inner firebox. Andy Netherwood has been measuring the throat plate. Once measurements were correct, the tube plate was welded onto the throat plate.

This will be positioned into the boiler to check it fits, but this is great news and is another step in the boilers restoration.

Some excellent news regarding 35005 here, if you would like to find out more information about donating towards the cost of bringing 35005 back to steam, please click here.

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