Ruston 0-6-0 LSSH class #423 “Cromwell” (459518/61)
Restoration Plan (21/7/03).
Following the condition survey, it has been decided to try and keep the locomotive in as close a condition as possible, to that in which it finished it’s Army career. During further research on the reasons for retirement, it has been disclosed that the locomotive had been stopped with an engine fault – it ingested a nut through the Left hand air intake. Co-incidentally, the air filter body is missing from this side!
Missing Components;
The Condition Survey has shown the following items are missing, as a matter of urgency these need to be sourced;
|
Control Gear for Torque
converter; |
Paxman Engine Spares For 6RPHL Engine dip-stick Part# RPH13411B Adapter for it Part # RPH13420. Head Gasket set – Sourced
12/7/03 All injector fuel pipes Spare injectors –Sourced
12/7/03 Other spares; Broom Wade type N3 air compressor (&/or seal kit) Starter motor; (starter gear has
15 teeth) – Simms 624SGRE101/7 – Sourced 19/7/03 All windscreen wipers Air Filter body (Air Maze) |
Work Order;
The first priority, before any further work is undertaken on the locomotive was to lubricate all moving chassis parts, using all available grease nipples – to minimise damage/wear during shunting.
The next stage, other than a temporary cab floor!, was to assess the engine condition. The stages of restoration shall be engine, and then transmission/brake systems followed by the external bodywork.
To investigate the engine condition, all sump inspection hatches have been removed, the crankshaft/bottom of con-rods and the oil in the sump – these all appear to be OK with no apparent water contamination of the oil, the con-rod bolts are all missing their split pins (these require replacement). The cylinder heads have to be removed to provide direct access to the cylinder bores. This work has required the total stripping down of the top of the engine, involving the valve rockers & push rods being removed. To remove the cylinder heads (common unit for 3 cylinders), all the upper bodywork will require removal, due to the shear weight, the heads should be lifted with a crane.
Upon investigation of the left hand cylinder head, the head gasket was found to be in very poor condition, with strong evidence of water seepage. The piston face nearest the air intake, shows signs of several impacts of a nut (approx 13mm) – as the piston is aluminium, all marking is on the piston & not on the cast steel head. The nut impacts change as it became compressed. There is no sign of damage to the valves & no sign of the errant nut!
The piston nearest the radiator is heavily caked in carbon/oily deposits – a sure sign of tired injectors. All injectors are to be replaced with re-con items of the same type.
As soon as the head gaskets arrive (currently lost in the post!), this cylinder bank will be re-assembled & the Right hand side will have the same treatment.
The universal coupling between the engine and the pulley drives requires attention, prior to an engine start up. This was removed on Sunday 20/7/03, with some difficulty. As this is a recent design change made by the Army/Thomas Hill, the opportunity is being taken to improve the design & make it easier to maintain. This involved welding captive nuts (into the counter bored bolt holes) on the face plate which bolts to the engine, the universal joint will then have bolts to attach to this plate – as opposed to “loose” nuts & bolts. The universal joint has one bearing showing signs of damage – this is to be investigated & repaired.
Next Step;
Whilst the heads are removed the opportunity is being taken to accurately record the cylinder bore diameters – to check against the wear tolerances.
The fuel lines are all on order from a Paxman engine stockist. Following their guidance, a decision has been made to install MK7 fuel line brackets to the engine, instead of the original (MK3) units.
As all the missing engine components arrive, work is concentrating on returning the engine to operational service. Once this is achieved, the next focus will be the Twin Disk torque converter/brake system.