Dave Rolfe has been putting air into the air system of 50030 at various points, looking for leaks, and inevitably, is finding a lot. He plans to work through the locomotive. This will reveal any more fractured, missing or broken airpipes. I added a new link wire between two terminal bars in No.1 cab as part of completing the unfinished DSD system. It seems BR were in the process of fitting a modified DSD system to 50030 when the locomotive was withdrawn and we had to do some lateral thinking, together with some partial documentation we had of the system, to work out exactly what the modified wiring did. Richard, Jay and I completed the lighting wiring in No.2 cab, then energised the lighting circuits at 110v from our shore supply from end to end, both internal, external and the cab instrument lights.
Dave is continuing to test various parts of the air system in Repulse, most recently the green AWS valves and horns. Earlier this week, the main generator was returned from our electrical contractor, and temporarily bolted into 50030 to avoid having to keep it outside under a tarpaulin. Both exhausters, both motor blowers and the scavenger fan were also returned. The first exhauster was fitted underneath the brake frame, and was wired in today. Now that exhauster is in place, several other valves could be fitted above it. The mounting bracket for the AWS sunflower and button was refitted into No.2 cab after cleaning and repainting, but the sunflower itself is awaiting repainting before it is fitted.
Cover photo showing the main generator in place by Jay Hirst.
