An update on steam locomotive 35011 General Steam Navigation

The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society has sent RailAdvent an update on the restoration of steam locomotive 35011 General Steam Navigation.

Back in June, a few volunteers resumed work to strip down the locomotive, although, with numbers limited due to social distancing, it may be a while before members can be welcomed back to working parties.

Most of the work has focused on getting a container ready, which included the installation of lights and electrical sockets and, at the request of the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, painting the outside green.

The society are awaiting the installation of a permanent feed for electricity, but in the meantime, they have a temporary connection to the new consumer unit to allow lighting and a ring main in the container. Included in the work is RCD sockets for external tool use, desk sockets, USB charging points as well as sockets for the microwave, fridge and kettle.

Work has progressed on the locomotive, with the springs that attach to the centre driving wheel being removed. A visual inspection shows these are in good condition.

Stripping down of the locomotive also saw the right hand side piston and cover removed, these have now been put into storage, and an assessment into their condition will be completed at some point in the future.

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The General Steam Navigation Society has told RailAdvent that it has been able to purchase new components for 35011 General Steam Navigation, with a Speedo drive, cut off indicator quadrant and part of the steam turbo generator being purchased.

These components were from an enthusiasts collection who had a reasonable purchase price for them.

Work in July focused on the boiler lift, which was successful on the 3rd October 2020 (more information on the boiler lift can be found here)

The main piece of engineering for the latest update was the new front end casing which has been successfully test fitted back in July. The casing was built by Leaky Finders, who, as you can see, have done a fantastic job.

The two outside pieces are bigger than originally built. The society took the decision to make them slightly bigger so that they can trim it down when it is finally fitted. For this reason, none of the fitting holes were drilled, which meant the Society had to use wooden props to display the pieces on the locomotive.

The most complicated part of the casing was the making of the lamp irons, which required machining to get the side profile right before being bent into shape.

Think you can help the General Steam Navigation Society? Please email Andrew Collett more information on [email protected] 

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