The boiler is the largest, and the most expensive item that needs overhaul before NG15 №134 can run again - it is the most vital piece as well!

This work has been contracted out to Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough. They  took the boiler as it was and have done a full inspection to agree a plan of work with the boiler inspector and the FR company. Once all parties were satisfied LMS will then overhaul the boiler and get it through its various boiler tests and certifications.

This exercise started in 2019 when the boiler was moved from Dinas to Loughborough. 

The boiler at Dinas in 2009 (right) and in 2018 it being loaded at Dinas for transfer to LMS at Loughborough. (Photo: Chris Parry) (left).

Once at Loughborough the boiler was left until March 2021 when initial exploratory work was commenced to establish the true condition of the boiler and the work needed to restore back to operating condition. This consisted with a basic clean and some cutting away of platework so as its true internal condition could be assessed. With agreement reached between the various parties work commenced a few months later.

The work has taken the form of first stripping out all wasted material and adding patches as required. The foundation ring was also overhauled and wasted material replaced before it was refitted. 

Chalk marks showing the extent of a typical patch needed to the boiler. Seen in June 2021 (left)
and later in September whith the wasted material in the process of being replaced (right). (Photos: Adrian Strachan).

During the assessment of the work needed, it was agreed with the boiler inspector that as we were replacing the whole of the new front boiler barrel section we could take the opportunity to move the dome position further to the rear of the boiler. This was to give a greater leeway of water levels in the boiler when negotiating gradients in reverse, especially up the 1:40 gradient out of Beddgelert that it will have to do regularly in service on the WHR.

The new (and now longer to allow for the moved dome) font boiler barrel section. (Photos: Adrian Strachan).

As well as new boiler material being needed, whether patches or a complete barrel section, there were also a whole lot of new stays needed. The stays were inserted and the repaired foundation ring riveted back in place.

New stays being fitted in May 2022. (Photo: Adrian Strachan)

The boiler continued to mage good progress throughout the middle of 2022 to the result that it was getting close to being a complete boiler again as can be seen in the photos below in July and then October 2022.

The new front boiler barrel section being trial fitted in July 2022 (left) and an almost complete boiler in October 2022. (Photo: Adrian Strachan)

Following hydraulic testing in early November 2022 the boiler passed its steam test in the presence the boiler inspector on the 14th November.

The boiler at its working pressure for the steam test. (Photos: Adrian Strachan).

There then followed a number of other steam tests to thermal cycle the boiler with any minor leaks being subsequently caulked. A final steaming took place in the week of Monday 9th January 2023 after which it was deemed fit to be released to the railway.

The following Friday therefore, the boiler was transported from LMS in Loughborough to Dinas in Wales.

The boiler having just arrived at Dinas, (left), and the boiler having its ashpan attached before being lowered into the frames, (right).

The boiler was first brought down close to the frames so as the ashpan could be attached, that after a bit of tweaking is subsequently did, then the boiler was dropped into the frames. By this time it was getting quite dark before the loco, the frames with boiler, were moved inside the goods shed.

The loco being moved inside the goods shed, (left), and the loco now in the goods shed for the night, (right).

And finally a video of the boiler's arrival is available on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway's YouTube Channel:

The boiler being delivered to Dinas and being fitted into №134's frames.