Our medium term goal is to restore 50030 to a state where the Diesel engine can be started up and the locomotive's systems checked. To this end we are concentrating on both the power unit and generators plus the air and vacuum systems. We already have an overhauled vacuum exhauster in secure, heated storage off site and we have a number of compressors in our spares stock. A Class 50 has two compressors: one supplies the compressed air to operate the switchgear in the locomotive's electrical cubicle and the air brakes on the locomotive itself. The other supplies air to the train brakes if hauling air braked stock. As part of the process of getting 50030 to a state where it can be fired up we recently took two of our compressors to our electrical contractor for examination and overhaul. This is part of our longstanding policy of putting completely reconditioned or brand new components into 50030 such that Repulse will be a reliable long term performer on the preserved line gala scene for many years to come. Progress at our contractors with the initial overhaul has been rapid and we expect to have an overhauled machine to remove to our secure storage very soon. Unfortunately the initial investigation revealed that one of the compressors we had chosen for overhaul had suffered water ingress damage which will make it very expensive to repair and we are in the process of working through our spares to find a replacement machine to submit for refurbishment. Click on any image for an enlarged view.
