Project 62 Photo Gallery - Rebuilding 30075 - The Boiler

USA Class 62 0-6-0T steam locomotive 30075 arrived at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway in mid 2002 effectively as a kit of parts. Having last steamed on Dorset's Purbeck Line in February 1998, the team there at Swanage had stripped steam locomotive 30075 as far as its motion and frames. These required little work having had a full and thorough overhaul under the watchful eye of Project 62 Chief Mechanical Engineer, Ron Pocklington, in 1996.

Main attention to "Yankee Tank" 30075 was therefore centred on the boiler. This had received a good inspector's report once dismantled but required extensive replacement of the firebox and firebox crown stays. By late 2003, the hard work of the team on the East Somerset Railway, lead by Loco Superintendent Steve Masters, had seen the boilerwork completed. After retubing, the boiler passed a hydraulic test and subsequently, in April 2004 a steam test out of the locomotive frames.

  External view of the firebox detailing extent to which stays were replaced. Many stays had been previously welded in!

A further shot from the front end of the boiler barrel. The front end of the firebox was also restayed.

Looking at the front of the firebox from inside the boiler barrel.

And again from further along the boiler barrel.

The complicated crown stays with the hanger system supporting the top of the firebox.

The boiler barrel is attached to the back of the firebox with palm stays.

The front tube plate ready for fitting.

Engineers rivet the tube plate to the boiler.

The finished job - now the small tubes require fitting.

April 2004 - the first fire in 30075 since February 1998!

A good fire!

Passed - now to reassemble 30075!

Boiler Test Plate - Copyright Project 62

All photos on this page are courtesy of Richard Bellchambers unless otherwise credited