The tender axle boxes being inspected at the October working party, especially for signs of water ingress.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

Again in October, the washout plugs have been removed ready for a visit by the boiler inspector.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

A small job for October was to add a chain so as the cover for the compressed air inlet for the blower wouldn't be lost!
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

A bit of house keeping also took place in October with some of the team helping clean the loco shed floor and adding a surface treatment to the concrete.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

During both the October and November working parties, and some days between we also started to trial fit the windows that will provide some protection for the loco crew during reverse running in bad weather. This is the fireman's side in the down position.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

This time, the fireman's side in the up 'stored' position.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

Between the October and November working parties, the side windows were fitted, however here they are seen being given a coat of black paint to the outside face.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

Both the driver's side windows now in black.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

In November the two seat mounts, one each for the driver and fireman, have ben fabricated and fitted. This is the fireman's side, but missing the seat itself.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

In November the two seat mounts, one each for the driver and fireman, have ben fabricated and fitted. This is the driver's side fitted with a trial wooden seat. They will have fully padded seats when completed.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

One of the improvements needed following the loco's use on the Gelert Explorer service trains this summer, is that the grate steam feed needed to be a larger bore pipe. The larger replaced pipe is seen here.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

The grate steam feed can be seen here beneath the cab floor. However, we also decided on another improvement, in this case to add access for a water hose feed to the ashpan drench so as ash can be cleared out when the loco is not in steam. Normally when in steam the grate would be cleaned using the drench feed from the fireman's injector.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

Not direct work on the loco, but more associated with the facilities needed for its operation is the installation of ashpits. We did the one at Dinas first as that was most important before we could do any running. It also allowed us the check the design and methodology before installing any others. With the need to do regular ashing out with the very 'ashy' fuels were now required to use we also need a pit at Caernarfon and Porthmadog. Here one can be seen fabricated and the other as a 'kit of parts'.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

For the ash pit at Caernarfon it was decided to have a cover made as the station does have a high incidence of trespass.
Photo: Laurence Armstrong

The team from Alstrom in Derby came to fit the Caernarfon pit and are seen here with their handywork after installation.
Photo: Adrian Strachan

The pit with the covers over.
Photo: Adrian Strachan

and from the other direction opened up.
Photo: Adrian Strachan

A couple of the team stayed after the November working party weekend and one job done was to fit some coat hooks in the cab.
Photo: Adrian Strachan