Shotblasting of the frames was the first major contract work outlay of the restoration and took place in the first week of October 2009. The following week then saw the frames being painted in a rust inhibiting primer. 

All the main frames were shotblasted together with the frames for the Krauss Helmholtz and rear pony trucks. The work was completed by local contractors Campbell Grindlay Engineering of Llangefni, Anglesey.

The shotblasting was a complex job and was done over a number of days as there were so many nooks and crannies that took time to fully clean. Once the work was complete the frames were left to dry out whilst members of Team Wylfa cleaned away all the grit from off the floor. They also had to replace all the lights in the shed as they had fallen victim to the grit and water!

As mentioned, following being allowed to dry out, the frames were then given a coat of specialist primer. At the next working party in November 2009 it was everyone manning the paint brushes to give the frames a coat of undercoat, Black was used for the externally facing surfaces and red for internal surfaces. This would provide the necessary protection whilst work continued on the loco.

The gritblasting was significant step forward as it allowed the re-assembly of other components back onto the frames as they became available.