See YOU on Sunday

Are you interested in the restoration and future operation of the Royal Arsenal narrow gauge railway?  We're holding a railway 'meet' for all current and prospective volunteers, and you're invited.

Come to Crossness Engines Trust on Sunday 26 February to find out more;  there will be two illustrated talks, the first on 18 inch gauge railways, the second on the extensive system operated by Woolwich Arsenal.  

Our equipment is currently on long term loan from The Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey, however the locomotive Woolwich once used to call the Arsenal home. 

Admission is free and access is available from 11am to 3pm.

When there's a Wall there's a Way.

Check out the web album for more photos

Removing the offside tank was simple enough.  However, the nearside tank is tricky as the locomotive is standing next to the wall.  There's certainly not enough space to squeeze a forklift in the gap, so a home made section of track was used to roll Woolwich past the meddlesome internal wall (this method was at the time deemed preferential to demolishing the wall).

The last time we shifted the 8.5 ton* loco, it required the use of a JCB digger.  This time around, we enlisted an ex-Royal Navy truck to do the towing.  We're lucky that the floor of the engine room is perfectly level.

The time came to remove the offside tank.  Most of the securing bolts had already been removed, so only a couple were left to undo before the lifting began.

The forklift truck was good at this as it had practised on the other tank - it lifted off quite smoothly.  The ex-navy truck was once again summoned to push Woolwich back to bed.

If this operation is difficult to imagine, take a look at our online photo album for 11 photos of the tank removal in glorious technicolour.

If shifting a loco is challenging, the volunteers can rest safe in the knowledge that one day she'll be able to roll out of here under her own steam.

* None of us are 'metricated'!

Taking apart the Jigsaw Puzzle

After the successful removal of the cab, we had another challenge for our forklift drivers.  We had more parts of Woolwich to remove to get even closer to the boiler.

The offside and nearside tanks flank the cylindrical boiler that runs horizontal through the loco.  Removing one of these tanks is necessary at this stage to assess the condition of many working parts.

View all the photos!  Find the link at the bottom of this post!

Unsurprisingly, these original tanks are rusty and currently incapable of holding water.  To restore the loco to full running order, we can either replace or restore the tanks.  The cheapest option is a replacement, but we'll re-use the original castings still fit for purpose.

Unseen parts are exposed as the tank is lifted away:  the footplate is in very good condition, and at a glance the balanced wheels might be in a reasonable condition as well.

Now we are able to get the boiler properly inspected, and we'll start to have an indication of the true scale of this unique restoration project.  Woolwich is 96 years old and has been in the elements for most of her life.

This completely changes the external shape of the loco.  Return visitors to Crossness Engines on Open House Day (Sunday 18 September) could have assumed they were looking at a different loco!

View the process in pictures here.

Off with her Cab!

To get access to the boiler, first the cab has to be removed. The cab is bolted and riveted to the tanks. The condition of the boiler has to be inspected and issued with a safety certificate before it can be used.

Although this is labour intensive, it's quite straight forward, barring a few rusty fixings. The cab was not particularly heavy, but it was a delicate manoeuvre requiring sensitive control of the forklift.

The preparatory work - unbolting and dismantling - took the most time.

Many hours of work have gone in so far, but this is the first time that the Woolwich has been visibly altered.

The next job is the removal of the offside side tank - so watch this space!

View the stage-by-stage process on our online album.  

Rewind.

As we begin to strip down and rebuild a loco, let's cast our minds back to where it all started.  Take a look at some of the research and new graphics we have on display on our open days.

Scroll to the bottom of the Royal Arsenal Railway page and check out our map of the entire RA railway system.

....And there's a few colourful images and information at the end of the About the loco page

Obstinate Nuts.

Here's how we deal with the rusted nuts on the cab of Woolwich.  The loco is undergoing preparation work for the removal of the cab and the right-hand tank this week - the cab extension added by Bicton Railway is still in place.  

Hidden for Years - the steam chest

 This week, we unveiled a part of the engine that possibly hasn't been seen since 1954.  The volunteers at Crossness Engines Trust were lucky enough to take the first peek at the inside of Woolwich's steam chest.


We wanted to inspect the condition of the 'slide valves' that allow admission and exhaust of steam to and from the cylinders.  The only thing to stand in our way was a thick and heavy plate covering the steam chest, secured by 14 very substantial studs.     


Don't be fooled: this job was by no means easy!  The outside of the cover was corroded and removal was risky - loose dirt and grit could damage the valve, and the joint between the cylinder and the cover can't be damaged in any way.  It is a delicate operation.  
What did we find?  All is revealed!  Take a look at the photo story online.