Evening everyone, and thank you for joining us. We’ve finished off the braking system on DB993560 and have begun welding the side panels back into the hopper.
Nick and I picked up where we left off last week by finishing the install of the refurbished vacuum cylinder. A release valve was put on from our overhauled stash and the branch pipe was reconnected. We put some temporary vacuum hoses on the wagon and performed a vacuum test.
The vacuum test performed well, though we had some issues with the temporary vacuum hoses so only managed 19″ rather than the usual 21″. The brakes applied and released as per spec and once applied held for more than an hour which is more than adequate.
After this point, Ernie and I started preparing the replacement plate for the hopper. Working from the pieces cut out, Ernie cut the plate using the cutting gun and ground up the edges. I welded some tabs on the back of the plate to stop it dropping back out the hopper once laid in.
We got the smaller of the plates tacked in, and then cut out the larger plate. The larger plate took a bit more fitting, and required some manipulation of the existing hopper to get it to line up. With the plate positioned, it was tacked in to suit.
On Sunday I continued with the welder, welding around the inside seams of each plate, well until my supply of rods ran out anyway. The smaller of the plates was welded all the way round on the inside of the hopper, and the larger plate was welded around the top and down the 2 sides. Dan very capably assisted me in the hopper, and just about managed to stay awake.
That leaves the bottom of the large plate to weld on the inside, then just a case of doubling up and welding the outside of the hopper. We’ve identified another panel to replace, and have got some localized panel beating to do on the other panels on the East side. Then the wagon is ready for another clean down and a paint.
Thanks for joining us and reading the update Join us next week where it could be more welding, and finishing off the work on the hopper. I think this is a first for us, where we’ve welded up a wagon at Quorn. Its rewarding to learn new things and continue to practise them. Have a good week!
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