News May-July07
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News May-July07
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28/07/07 Friday 27th the night crew worked on the Tamper and removed a very stubborn stub shaft which supports the "Tamping Tyne" arm support. More preparation on the Ng tender chassis was carried out with new gussets installed by Greg and further rust removal was done also. The Gemco Locomotive PW27 "Wyndham" has had the damaged crown wheel repaired and machined and it has been reinstalled in the locomotive drive train. Work is ongoing towards returning #27 to active service. Thanks to Brian Rourke for his ongoing efforts with Pw 27.
On Friday 20/07/07 the BBR took delivery of 10 newly regauged Axles. These new axles will enable another 4 bogies to be built (or 2 more bogie vehicles) with a couple of axles to be spare. The regauging work has been done by "Gemco" and funded by a Lotteries Commission Grant.
On Sat 21st of July, The tender tank from NG 118 was successfully removed from its chassis (thanks to Paul and Simon) and apart from a clean up it is ready to be united with the tender tank from NG 123. Derek was to be found at the depot on Wed 25th of July using the steam cleaner on the bottom of the 123 tender tank and the 118 Chassis units.
22/07/07 MALLET
RECEIVES NATIONAL TRUST CLASSIFICATION In June, WALRPA received a certificate of classification for the Mallet from the National Trust of Australia (WA).
The
certificate states “This
Classification recognises the heritage significance of Magnet No. 3, Mallet
Steam Locomotive Whiteman Park - 14th May 2007". The
certificate is the culmination of the work done by Ross Parker and David
Whiteford in conjunction with Phillipa Rogers (ARHS) whose input has been
invaluable Classification of the Mallet will be instrumental in obtaining funds to complete the restoration of the locomotive. For info about the Mallet - Click Here
7/07/07 Member Dave Cochrane has once again been busy with a paint brush and given the Perry - Betty Thompson a new look.
Dave (a ex WAGR fireman), is a quiet achiever around the railway and the driving force in keeping our steam locos looking fresh & tidy, inside and out. Dave's paint work is a good as his ability to keep up steam pressure. Not sure how long this new smokebox colour will last though. It certainly looks different. Keep up the good work Dave.
30/6/07 Friday night maintenance work nights continue at the BBR Depot with members eager to keep progressing projects being worked on. In recent weeks efforts have been turned to keeping the Perry in good running order. A commonly occurring problem lately being the quick wearing out of the piston and valve gland packings. A better type of packing material has been sourced by the locomotive manager and over the last few weeks, with much knuckle grazing, swearing and plain hard work has seen the piston and valve packings replaced aal round and BT1 is now performing with a few less steam leaks from the cylinders. Although NG 123 is essentially now an operating locomotive there is still much to be sorted out with the tender. As the chassis from 123 has been found to be in a poor condition, it has been decided that the chassis from 118's tender (which has a hole in it) will be placed under 123's tender tank to enable Ng123 to continue to operate whilst repairs are made on the not so good items. With the chassis from 123's tender now separated the crew set about on Friday night and separated 118s tender from the locomotive section of Ng123 and it was then hauled to WVJ and turned . This now sees the chassis's facing the same direction and will enable the separation of 118's tender chassis from its tank so that it can be installed under the better tank from 123's tender. Fathers day is now the projected date for Ng 123 to be next operating. Work is continuing on Planet #2 with the water pump being re-installed and the brake rigging rods have returned from machining and will shortly be re-fitted. Slowly this locomotive is being restored to working order. It is hoped to have it operational by the end of the year. Whilst turning the tender from 118 it was noticed that the lights on the recently installed footbridge at WVJ have been connected and are in working order. It does look quite atmospheric with the lighting.
Members or potential members wanting to help out on Friday nights should be at the Mussel Pool depot before the gates to Whiteman Park shut at 6pm. All help, makes your railway better.
New info Added - "Track" page info added - Click here
21/6/07 New info Added - Ashley 0-4-0 DM - Click here
16/6/07 NG Tender Maintenance As the track master has limited the use of the NG steam locomotive to the Mussel Pool branch due to track conditions on the loop that prevent use of the heavy locomotive, it is not currently practical for it to be used in service and so during the last week in May the midweek crew commenced work on removing the chassis from the tender of Ng 123 to enable remedial work to be carried out on the front section which is suffering from corrosion due to the moisture which has run onto the frame over time, from the footplate section above.
The Ng 15 tenders were designed so that the tank and the chassis were two separate sections and in theory could be interchangeable.
The BBR is currently the only railway in WA operating regular steam hauled trains with 0-4-2T Perry "Betty Thompson" working weekend services. NG123 will most likely operate later in the season when there is a need for two trains in service.
New info Added - Krauss O-4-0WT - Click here New Info Added - Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0 DM - Click Here
20/5/07 Friends Of Thomas the Tank Engine Day Sunday 20th of May was the first BBR Friends Of Thomas the Tank Engine Day for 2007. Although there was the threat of rain for the day, it remained mostly fine with occasional overcast patches - perfect for a busy day of train operations. Steam crews were the first to arrive at the workshops from around 5.30am, with Diesel Drivers, Guards, Signalmen, Station Assistants, Ticket Sellers and other helpers arriving in time to get organised and ready for a 9am start to services.
Around 8.30am a steady procession of locomotives started to leave the depot with large diesels leaving first followed by steam locos and then the small petrol engines. Eight locomotives in all were available for service on this day, operating four train consists. NG123 participating in its very first Thomas Day (as an operating locomotive), having been out of service for the last 12 years. FOTTE days began in 1996 after NG123 had been retired for maintenance. On the Loop - "Rosalie" headed the 6 coach "Big" train with "Ashley" and the toast rack set following, on a "split loop section" operation - Whiteman Village Junction south to Zamia & Zamia to Whiteman Village Junction north via Kangaroo Flats. On the Mussel Pool Branch - NG123, Betty Thompson and Planet#1 operated a four coach "Big" train. A rested locomotive taking over the train from the arriving locomotive, at each station. The arriving loco waiting for the return of the next train. "Yellow Rose" and "Maylands" hauled the "Small" train (Top and Tailed) in between the big train service. This kept the signalmen at both Mussel Pool and WVJ very busy as there were many shunt movements to perform. The "Ruston" was also on hand for back up purposes.
All of the engines behaved very well with no problems recorded, although one coach on the Big loop train did decide to have a hissy fit with a dragging axle and was removed from the train shortly after being "Told Off" by the Fat Controller.
On the "Business" side of the day, the tickets sellers at WVJ & Mussel Pool and the Souvenir Shop Ladies, were kept very busy with a bumper crowd descending on the railway. The Fat Controller was run off his feet attending to all of his adoring crowd wanting photos with the main man.
Also available to the visiting crowd were many attractions including : 3 Vintage buses operating from WVJ station through the Village to Mussel Pool and return - Animal farm, Pony rides & Bus display at Mussel Pool - Aero Modellers and Off Road R/C buggies display at Zamia station - Fun fair rides, and great music from our resident Thomas Day Band.
Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine Day is the busiest day of operation for the Bennett Brook Railway and also one of the busiest event days held at Whiteman Park. It is a credit to all of the BBR members involved in the organising, preparation of equipment, setting up and operating of this event. All BBR members and participants from other groups within the park are to be commended on their efforts to make this day the big event it has become. Thank you to all - You have done exceptionally well.
13/5/07 Ng 123 Returns to Service On Saturday 12th of May, Ng 123 was trialled with light engine runs between Mussel Pool and Village Junction stations. The engine was also turned on the 80ft turntable to have it facing smokebox first out of Mussel Pool station, for the up coming Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine day. A three coach train was also hauled for a light load after the days services had ceased. With all seeming to be in order, Ng 123 was used on the Mussel Pool branch services hauling a four coach train for Mothers Day visitors to Whiteman Park whilst "Planet" 1 hauled a four coach train on "Loop" services. It has been 12 years since NG 123 has hauled a train on the BBR, during which time it has slumbered at the depot with a major cylinder overhaul being carried out along with other general maintenance. There is however still much to be done to improve the condition of the locomotive, but at least it now goes. A very BIG "Thank You" goes to all members and others who have helped over the last 13 years to bring Ng 123 back into a useable condition.
9/5/07 Bennett Brook Bridge Maintenance Commencing on Friday 4th of May the bridge over the Bennett Brook on the Mussel Pool branch was closed to traffic for maintenance work. This work involved renewal of the transoms (sleepers) which support the rails over the girders, as well as corrosion treatment and painting of the girders.
The job commenced with removal of the fishplates and all spikes holding the running rails and check rails in place and then the rails were drawn back off the bridge to allow removal of the old Transoms. The girders were then cleaned of rust and treated with a rust converter to enable a coat of MIO paint to be applied.
Once the paint had dried the new transoms which had been pre drilled were positioned and bolted down, sleeper plates were positioned and then the rails were replaced and spiked down after careful alignment.
Thanks to Gary, Simon, Adam, Paul, Jamie, Dave, Terry, Andrew and Michael for their assistance in all aspects of bringing this project to its completion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bennett Brook Railway Webmaster N. Blinco
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