The Bury Standard 4 Group has issued its latest report on progress to overhaul Ivatt 2-6-0 No. 46428 since reports were issued last October and in January 2025.

Current work concentrates on the boiler firebox, with the first task being to remove the foundation ring, which is a large steel member that runs around the base of the firebox, to which the inner and outer wrappers, or inner and outer walls, are riveted.

Cracking of the foundation ring is quite common, which means it must be removed.

The copper inner wrapper is in very good condition, but the steel outer wrapper is worn all around the base and must be replaced.

To enable that to be done, the boiler needs to be inverted, and the plan is to hoist the boiler onto a chassis and then carry out the work inside the group’s workshop over the next few years.

The chassis will be constructed from a carriage bogie made of steel sections donated by the East Lancashire Railway.

This was designed to carry half of a 30-ton Mk1 carriage, whereas it is estimated the boiler weighs about a quarter of that, at about 7 tons.

A mechanism to actuate the bogie brakes is being fabricated, as well as support members on which the boiler firebox and barrel will rest.

When fabrication work on the bogie is complete, the boiler will need to be lifted onto it, rolled into the workshop, and a scaffold erected. Once inside the workshop, work can start on the serious but laborious task of rivet busting.