The first two axle boxes are now back in position, the front axle first so we can build the brake assembly from that end as well. The lubricating oil wick feed system to the axle box bearings has been tested and found to work perfectly so we have installed them into the axle boxes and closed them up. They were then repositioned onto the cleaned and polished axle journals and the axle lifted into position. Click on the third picture on the right below to see a video of what we have done.

The two buffer beams, which were lifted into position earlier have been chipped clean and undercoated.

The couplings and chains have been inspected, painted and both refitted into place,the final coats of paint applied and the black hazard stripes completed on the rear buffer.

The cab base frame door stiffining plates have been re-welded back on and painted ready for lifting onto the chassis.

The whole top and bottom of the footplate has been repainted with extra layers as this will always be exposed to the elements.  

The old loco registration plates were in a sorry state, one  had broken and a piece was missing, the other was just held together by screws on the cab.

They have been cleaned up, epoxy glued together and duplicated in plastic using using a plaster mould. The result ? after stripping from the mould and cleaning them up they have turned out rather well.  

The clutch thrust bearing and operating mechanism have been repositioned and the locating dowels fitted.

These items were precision drilled and reamed when they were manufactured in 1953 to ensure perfect alignment between the chassis cross frame and engine output drive system