Wednesday, 11 May, 2023 saw the Wednesday Gang complete the replacement of the compressors in the nose of 37215. The ‘new’, overhauled, bottom compressor had been refitted the previous week, but the trickier top one now had to be eased into place before the pipework was reattached and the system tested.
Using D6948 as the shunting loco (as it was the train loco later in the day), 37215 was moved under A-Frame gantry ready to lift the compressor over into the open hatch doors. Technical Officer and Chairman, Paul Good oversaw the team of myself, Keith R, Phil B and Andy D as the compressor was hoisted up and swung into the nose.
With everything back in situ the loco was prepped to start. A minute later and ‘215’ burst into life, closely followed by both compressors.
There was a leak coming from one of the connections but, armed with a trusty set of stillsons, Paul tightened it up and sealed the joint. This didn’t seem to affect the build up of air in the main reservoir as the needle in the gauge was storming towards 100psi. Certainly, it was building more quickly than the old, removed compressors provided and, the normal operating pressure of between 120 and 130 psi was reached easily. Another tick! Next, was to check that the compressor cut out worked. This kicks in around 150 psi and, at about 152psi the compressors cut out successfully with the dial slowly returning to 120psi. Three out of three.
‘215’ was then returned to the shed under its own power and with the air systems working correctly in both vacuum and air. This should see the loco return to the active roster shortly.
