S.D.D.T.
Ltd
July – September
No.19
NEWSLETTER
[D8110] 20110
[D8118] 20118
This loco has now taken over from
20110 as the standby loco. The loco did most of the evening trains over
the peak timetable. The loco started to lose coolant and had to be topped after
a few days. A joint on the bottom of a turbocharger was found to be weeping.
This was tightened and seems to have done the job. The loco worked over the
Transport Heritage weekend (11th & 12th Sept) doing
only one return trip on the Saturday and on the Sunday a bit of messing about
with freight workings. Tuesday 14th saw the loco in action
again. It did the last return trip of the day due to the failure of steam loco
1420. It did a special ECS working on Sunday 26th September to Bishops
Bridge to make room at Buckfastleigh for the unit to return.
[D7612,
25262] 25901
Still having problems with keeping the
engine running as well as getting power. It worked the first three of the four
trips on it’s running Sunday on the 1st August (20118 doing the last
trip). It also worked the evening train (17.15 dep) on Monday, but failed to
make the rest of the week with 20118 standing in. The oil pressure switch was
changed on Sunday 22nd August, now the engine stays running! The
air brake governor (which had been changed a little while ago) was re-adjusted.
The power problem has now gone! It
worked three more evening trains on 24th, 25th & 26th
Aug, this time a compressor stopped working on the return from Totnes on the 25th.
The compressor change over switch is now in use. On Sunday 29th
& Monday 30th Aug the loco did one round trip (each day) to
Totnes for the Branch Line weekend. On it’s return on Monday the compressor
fault was traced to the contactor, which has a part that was burnt out. A
replacement part is now being sauced, but a temporary repair has been made.
With this done the other compressor failed to run. The contactor for this one
would not hold in, so it was removed and the coil on the contactor was tested
and for to be good. This was refitted a few days later only to find that it
once again works as it should and the loco is now back on two compressors.
Class 04
The loco
has had a service with brakes being adjusted and various oils being topped up.
The fluid flywheel has been topped up once more since the service indicating
that the seal on the flywheel may soon need replacing (not an easy job!). Half
way through the Branch Line weekend the loco was restricted to the station
limits (Buckfastleigh), due to the oil leak from the flywheel. A new set of
brake block will soon be required for the loco as well.
Class 09
Being
started every few Sundays, and starting first time on batteries that are 12+
year old! Could the loco be running this time next year? Supporting the 09
appeal will achieve this goal.
Class 14
The loco
has worked two evening train plus the odd shunt. The coolant leak has been
stopped for the time being. On one of the return evening trains the loco lost
power with no indication. After stopping the power returned! Due to the 04
being restricted to station/yard work only this loco took over the 04’s roster
for the Transport Heritage weekend. It had trips down the line on both days.
Class 37
Has had
some wiring in the No.2 end nose tided up. This has lead to most of the
lighting now working! The loco worked the first driver experience
trains for the diesel groups on Sunday 22nd August, doing three
round trips. When finished the loco was placed in the running shed for rust
removal in the body sides. The cab interior around the driver’s side (No.2 end)
had to be removed along with the side windows. By the end of September the
driver’s side of No.2 cab had been finished with four new metal plates having been
welded in.
Class
50
Still
parked in the bay at Totnes, on show to all.
Class 122
Work is
slowly progressing in the large saloon with all the wooden step inserts having been
bolted in place by the start of August. By the end of the month most of the
panelling was fixed to the sides. This leaves the window frame to re-fit and
the wooden strip around the panels to go back. The waterproofing strips at the
bottom of the inside of the large saloon doors are in the process of being renewed.
Still waiting for the body lift to replace the wheel sets in No.1 bogie.
Class 127
Worked
two later evening trains on the August Fair weekend. Worked on the Sunday of
the Branch Line weekend, ending up stabled at Bishops Bridge. The unit returned
to Buckfastleigh on Sunday 26th September so the owning group could
do so work on it before their annual autumn day on the line (Thursday 30th
September).
Yorkshire
In
service.
Fowler
No change
from last time.
Ruston
No change
from last time.
Stock
MINK W104700 – No change.
CCT W94556 - No change.
CCT M94852 – With all the welding now finished and the end
doors refitted to the van, with new plywood.
It was transferred to the P.L.O.G. shed for the final coats
of paint to be applied. The last topcoat went on, on
Sunday 15th Aug. The lining out was done the
following week. The van was paired with the other, and both
saw use over the Transport Heritage weekend. The only bit of
bother was a brake block coming off at Totnes
on the Saturday afternoon. This meant the van had to be side
lined for the rest of the weekend.
SHOCK VAN - No change.
MINK ‘B’ W125814 (B753100) – No change.
DATES
FOR THE DIARY (Diesels running)
Sat 6th & Sun 7th November In House
Diesel Gala. ‘GRONK AID’
WORKING WEEKENDS
Are mostly on Sundays at the moment. If you turn up about
between 09.00 and 09.30 someone
should be about !
RUNNING DAYS
Sunday ~ October 3rd - D9525.
DAYS
GONE BY
D.Cross (Deceased)
20110
on shed at Ayr TMD with a class 40 & 26 22-10-83
D.Cross
(Deceased)
D8118
with two class mates en-route Carstairs to Beatock for banking duties in May
1970.
M.Bray
25262
inside at Toton TMD 24-9-83 with 31
CCT
M94852 at the start of the year.
M94852
after all welding was finished, in the P.L.O.G. shed for painting.
The
finished item next to the other CCT at the start of September.
The
horn box over the cab full of rest (left) and the new metal in the cab side of
20110.
The
newly fitted drip tray on the 25, also in view is the oil pressure switch that
was changed.
Waiting for the road at Bishops Bridge loop on 10-9-04.
D9525 departs Bishops Bridge with the Totnes milk empties for Buckfastleigh on 12-9-04
37037 waits for the road at Buckfastleigh with the
first Diesel Drive Experience course, with most of the diesel fleet on show
22-8-04.