D6948 steams for the first time at the October gala

Posted on by Peter_S

 

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If you’ve been following the restoration story of D6948, then you’ll remember that one of the first things done in the project back in July 2010 was to install a Clayton RO2500 Steam Generator in order to provide steam heat capability. Although built to take one, the loco was never actually fitted with one until 2010 when a Bridgwater firm managed to produce one refurbished unit out of three scrap generators that had been rescued out of 37s many years ago. With the loco now having returned to service at the GWR’s July Diesel Gala, the steam generator was Continue reading →

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D6948 completes loaded test run

Posted on by Peter_S

D6948 successfully completed a loaded test run on Sunday 12th June when it ran from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse and return with a 7 coach ECS and 37215 as insurance and deadweight. A few minor issues were encountered (as expected) but the loco performed well and all being well, is on track to make its debut in passenger service on Friday 29th July on the first day of the GWR’s summer diesel gala Continue reading →

D6948 reaches a major milestone! Power unit started.

Posted on by Peter_S

After 5 long years, a lot of blood, sweat and tears and not a little cash, D6948 sprang back into life at 10:20 this morning following its partial engine rebuild and general refurbishment. The loco was run up for approximately an hour and 20 minutes testing air systems, brakes and control air/engine rev response and a snagging list produced….Still plenty to do with much testing of electrical systems and hopefully resolution of what will turn out to be minor faults on both air leaks and electrics. But the main thing was that the power unit ran very well indeed and very smoothly – and beyond our expectations. click to continue reading

D6948 – 19th March return to service day postponed

Posted on by Peter_S

Following another good day of progress on D6948’s power unit overhaul on Sunday 24th January, a detailed assessment of remaining work required vs available time and labour resources between now and the 19th March was carried out. The Power unit overhaul has ended up being much more extensive than could have been anticipated when this phase of the work commenced early in 2015 and although the rest of the extensive locomotive restoration has now been completed and barring any further issues the power unit may be fully reassembled within the next 6 weeks or so, we feel there will be insufficient time for Continue reading →