August 2008 Update

A few words about what has been happening over the last few months…

Fuel tank move

The Matisa’s second fuel tank that had been left behind at the Colne Valley Railway was finally recovered during May and taken up to Northumberland – thanks to all involved. Hopefully the repairs can be quickly finished now and the tank re-installed ahead of attempts to get the engine started again later in the year. We are really going to push hard for this to happen as we have had too many delays over the last year.

Permaquip parts

Some Permaquip spares were found at Fawley Hill at the beginning of the year and these were recovered on June 7th. After a couple of weeks in storage the Midlands OTPPG contingent met the Longhoughton OTPPG contingent at Fastline York at the beginning of July. These various parts from Fawley Hill & Leeman Road were then finally reunited with the machines in Northumberland.

Permaquip progress

The state of play with the PCT’s at Longhoughton is that all units can now be started, and moved of sorts.

On Sunday 3rd August the engine in DX 98702 was turned over with a socket and ratchet on the flywheel/crankshaft bolt, while the electrics were given a quick look over to compare with the Permaquip wiring diagram (which we have now decided is incorrect in a few places.) After a heavy rain shower a set of heavy duty batteries were wired in and various circuits tested in turn – this was what led us to believe the diagrams are wrong as wires that are only supposed to feed something minor seem to actually have a more important job! With various jumper cables in place, the engine was turned over with the starter. A few mis-fires to clear it’s throat and a little application of Easy-Start to help things, the engines roared into life. After more wiring, switches and relays were checked and a few alterations, corrections and jumpers put in we restarted the engine and attempted to move the unit. Although a little bit reluctant to begin with after a few jolts back and forth the drive began to free off and it started to move quite smoothly. The various modifications were tidied up and we have almost all electrical circuits working. Now to sweep out the cab, tidy up the paintwork and then do something about the damaged front door…

On Sunday 10th August Craig (NoR’s electrician) and myself spent a few hours working on DX 98707. Heavy duty batteries were again wired on to energise the circuits. A few shorts and missing wires were found, and various sensor relays were jumped out. After a few broken and missing wires were replaced we managed to get the starter to turn over the engine, and then the main dash panel to work (bearing in mind that the top dash is missing as there is no front door to attach it to!). We turned it over a few times and despite coughing and wheezing it just didn’t want to know. The glow plug circuit was known to be bad so various parts were swapped with known good components, and one of the actual plugs was found to be broken so this has been swapped out for a spare (new parts will need to be ordered soon). This fixed the problem and the engine started up okay, and instantly fired each time we tried afterwards. As mentioned in my brief email the PTOs all work okay, though the compressor is a bit stiff at the moment (a spare is in stock and may be swapped out.)

We did not have enough time to move 98707 from road two where it currently sits onto road 1 next to 98702 and 98706, but it is hoped to do this soon – as a ALCo s1 switcher is due to be unloaded onto road two in the next fortnight!

It is still planned that 98702 goes off site for loan to the Waverley Route Heritage Association project at Whitrope and transport is being arranged for this. 98706 & 98707 will be staying in the yard.