
Perry loco North Eton No.6, last steamed on a private
railway at Megalong Valley, NSW.
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During August 2001, the locomotive arrived at LMLR on
the same day as
fellow Perry, North Eton No.7. Of the two locos,
No.7 was found to be the one
in poorer
condition, so it was selected to be restored first. It
would be several
years before restoration work commenced on No.6
but it is now well advanced,
under a team with the experience of a more challenging
restoration.
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Running
Gear
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Valve
Gear, Wheelsets & Crankpins, Axle Boxes,
Bearings & Horn Blocks, Suspension & Brake System
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With
the rear buffer plate removed, access to the trailing truck area has
been greatly improved. The task of wire brushing is continuing here
with the truck's pinion, trailing arms and brake gear all receiving
attention. The underside of the cab floor is similarly treated as
the initial coats of protective paint are applied to the first of
the truck's components. |
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Side-Tanks,
Bunker & Cab
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Side
Tanks, Coal Bunker, Cab
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Still
in one piece, the cab has been treated to the careful but tedious
process of paint removal by electric wire-brush. With that now completed
and a protective coat of paint applied, attention is focussed on removing
the paint on the coal bunker. All of the layers applied since construction
in 1941 are removed, the most recent one being part of the Megalong
Valley-era livery. |
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Both
petrol-mechanical locos Twiggy and Malcolm, were called
in to take No.6 to and from the Running Shed where the brake rigging
and side-tanks' balance pipe were removed. Back at the Engine Shed,
the removal of the side-tanks and cab took place. New side-tanks will
be manufactured, with removable top panels, to enable easy inspection
and maintenance. |
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Boiler,
Smokebox & Firebox
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Boiler,
Smokebox & Firebox
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photo album
in preparation
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Frame
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Frame
& Running Boards
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The rear buffer
plate suffered badly when the loco was in cane-era service, so the
decision is made to faithfully replace the existing plate with a
new single-piece steel plate. With the old rivets removed, the existing
plate is prized clear, providing the added bonus of greatly improved
access for the restoration of the trailing truck area and the truck's
associated equipment.
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Cleaning the frames is a time-consuming process as all the work is
carefully undertaken with a rotary wire brush, so as to preserve the
manufacturing and in-service marks. With the side-tanks removed, a
clear view between the frames can be had. |
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During
the loco's time at North Eton Mill, sections of the headstock and
buffer plate had been cut out to make access to the cylinder covers
easier. These missing sections present a preservation-era safety issue,
so replacement steel sections are cut and then welded in place. |
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Fittings
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Injectors
& Delivery Pipes, Fountain, Injector & Regulator Valves,
Safety & Clack Valves, Steam Pipes, Sand Boxes & Sand Pipes
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photo
album
in preparation
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Relocation |
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Transported
on separate semi-trailers, No.6 arrived from the Megalong Valley
on the same day in 2001 as sister loco, North Eton No.7. Inseparable
since their working days together at North Eton Mill in Queensland,
they were the first locomotives to arrive at LMLR, before the track
was completed. |
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