Locomotive Services Group has released an update on LNER A2 4-6-2 No. 60532 Blue Peter.
60532 is the sole surviving A2 and is owned by the Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust and is undergoing its overhaul at Crewe.
Lots of minor, but important, jobs have been completed since the last update and progress is really showing.
Starting on the locomotive's frames, the horn guides have had cracks repaired and have now been fastened to the frames. The frames themselves have been aligned, ready to fit the axle boxes.
Moving on to the cylinders, the A2's three cylinders have been mounted onto the frames. The significant cracking that was found on the middle cylinder has meant that a new casting was needed.
New valve heads, spindles, and valve crossheads have been machined to fit the guides
A new eccentric sheave was needed, as the old one was beyond the wear limits, so a cast was made and machined.
60532's newly repaired running boards and splashers are being riveted back on, and new buffers, draw hooks and shackles have been manufactured.
The front bogie casting was beyond repair, so a replacement has been cast and is, at the time of writing, being machined.
Blue Peter's drag box, which is found under the cab, needed replacing with a new casting and the main driving axle has had new crank pins fitted.
Moving to the tender, and a new tender tank has been fabricated and has now been fitted to the frames. Brake gear for the tender, and engine, have been overhauled ready for use.
Finally, the work has seen the locomotive's reverser overhauled and fitted, the regulator weld repaired and a new set of cylinder drain cocks awaiting machining.
You can view progress on Crewe-based locomotives over on the Locomotive Services Group Facebook Page.
interested in seeing a steam loco at kings cross station london any dates ,info please
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What beautiful engines these A2s were and regarding Blue Peter, I can remember being on Doncaster station back in 1958, I think the summer and seen 60532 coming out of the works in an ex works condition, what a cracking sight for a young trainspotter, will never forget this and regards the designer AH Peppercorn, he was years ahead of his time.
when bluepeter be finshed
I wonder how much damage the fatal high wheels revolutions saga did, some year ago ?
It’s possible, but middle cylinders were a common problem on A3’s and V2’s anyway.
Well done every one!! In my years on the L M S 19 In TOTAL I had the privilege of fireing this loco twice way back in the 60 I hope to see it once again running soon keep up the good work!!
Almost a brand new engine
Just doing what they did when the engines were working hard back in the day. Boilers were swapped and updated, worn out and damaged parts replaced. Some engines were worked hard for many decades.