28/06/2026
An update for you on 33063 as it has been a few months now since the last one..
On May 16th we set to and steam cleaned / washed down the loco prior to it entering the shed, again, so that the bodywork fatigued metal can be replaced and the final painting commenced. Whilst 063 had been in service on the Polar Train Ride and operating service trains during the first quarter of this year it had become quite dirty and deemed to much to clean with white spirit.
A good day was had by the small team present and after the big clean 063 was started up and entered the shed. Work has commenced, with good progress being made - still plenty to do though!
Cab 2 bodywork and support structure is having much being replaced on the Secondman side (Drivers side is done) and the wiring up of the to be reinstated marker lights has commenced. Two more buffers have been sent off to Oleo for overhaul which will see the loco with four overhauled ones on completion. This with the footsteps above the buffers also removed and being refurbished, gives a good opportunity for attention to the buffer beam and associated air pipes.
The roof air vent grills, from No2 Cab Drivers side, have seen reairs together with new fixings fitted. This side has now been completed with the mesh grill covers having had a paint refresh.
In addition, all four cab steps have been removed and new replacements have been commissioned to be built from scratch, with drawings supplied together with two complete ones as patterns, to our off site fabricator. Two should be ready for a trial fit very shortly.
