While the boiler steam test was in progress the side rods and valve gear were cleaned and sprayed with Waxoil. A start was also made on cleaning the driving wheels. The left and middle photos show the side rod (replaced in the sequence below) after the cotters have been fitted and the rods cleaned/sprayed. 

The right hand photo shows part of the steam test. Both safety valves are wide open and the blower is hard on to generate a high steam output. This test is to check that the safety valves can allow sufficient steam to escape from the boiler to ensure the boiler pressure does not go above the red line at 250 lbs/sq.in. The noise was incredible!

The sequence above shows reassembly of the fireman's side cylinder cover and valve (from left to right) 

1. After the cylinder end cover has been cleaned, foliac manganese jointing compound is applied to the cylinder end jointing faces.

2. The cylinder end cover ready for final positioning on the studs.

3. Tightening up the cylinder end cover nuts.

4. Close up of a valve spindle bobbin with all rings fitted and P2 (ref: 25th November photos) visible.

5. Fireman's side valve spindle fitted.

Over the weekend of 9-10 December the loco was moved out of the shed and several jobs were addressed. One job tackled was to remove the side rods, clean the rod oilways, replace the felt pads, inspect the bearing surfaces and replace the rods.

From top left to bottom right:-

1. Fireman's side trailing rod ready for refitting.

2. Close up of the new felt oil pad.

3. Trailing driving wheel pin liberally coated with oil.

4. Bearing on intermediate trailing driving wheel rod coated with grease. Note that the loco has to be moved forward to align the gap in the spokes with the bearing, thus facilitating the insertion of the bearing pin. Note also that the nut on the right hand side of the photo has not yet been fitted with its' split pin.

5. Lifting the rod into position. The left hand side of the rod is fitted onto it's pin and then the right hand side is raised to line up for the pin.

6. Fitting the nut to the pin. Note the alignment of the spokes.

7. Tightening the nut to align the slot for the cotter pin.

8. Fireman's side cylinder with pressure relief valve, drain cocks piping and footplating fitted.

On the Saturday 9th December 41 washout plugs, 11 mudhole doors (complete with new seals) and three new fusible plugs were fitted to the boiler. (New gauge glasses had been fitted the previous week). The boiler was then filled, water treatment added and a warming fire lit.

The graduable steam brake assembly and the cylinder drain cock valve assembly were refitted. Both piston rod oiling systems were removed, cleaned, inspected and refitted. The front footplating items on both sides of the loco were refitted and any nuts/bolts touched up with primer were required. Newly certified Boiler pressure, Steam Chest pressure and Duplex Vacuum gauges were fitted.

On the Sunday the boiler was brought up to full working pressure and the safety valves were adjusted. Later in the afternoon the loco was driven up and down Baron Street yard to check everything out.

The photo on the left is labelled to show the various parts of the valve chest.

Left:- The front valve bobbin with the six ring positions labelled. Ring number 6 has not yet been fitted. Note pins P1 and P3 which respectively prevent rings 1 & 2 and 5 & 6 from rotating in their grooves. Pin P2, associated with rings 3 & 4, is located on the other side of the bobbin. Note also that the ring ends are jammed into their grooves using paper, which will secure the rings as the valve spindle is inserted into the valve chest. The paper will eventually rot and the rings free up. 

Right:- Close up of Pin P1 showing the ends of rings 1 & 2 ground at an angle and the sides of the rings ground to accommodate the pin. All hand ground with astonishing accuracy.

Left:- Utilising a rope over the smoke deflector handrail to take the weight, the valve spindle is carefully fed into the valve chest.

Right:- Almost there.

Left:- Valve spindle in position.

Right:- At the rear of the valve chest the spindle is pushed through the valve spindle bearing gland, into the valve spindle crosshead, and the cotter fitted temporarily. Note that the nearside part of the valve spindle crosshead guide has been removed.

Securing the combination lever to prevent any unnecessary movement of the valve. 

23rd November 2006 - Photos moved here 27/11/2006.

The loco was drawn out of the shed on Wednesday 22nd November 2006 to undergo a boiler inspection. While this was going on the fireman's side piston was cleaned and had new piston rings fitted. This photo shows the connecting rod disconnected from the crosshead and the crosshead pushed forward to bring the piston head right out of the cylinder bore. 

Left:- The piston head supported and the slipper groove being cleaned.

Right:- Removing carbon from the piston.

Left:- Two piston rings with correctly ground ends ready for fitting.

Right:- Slipper groove at the bottom of the piston. The holes for the two slipper coil springs can be seen.

Left:- Fitting the first ring.

Right:- Fitting the second ring and adjusting the gaps to be 180 degrees apart (i.e. at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions).

Left:- Holding the slipper in place ready for the two piston rings to be compressed and the piston to be pushed back into the cylinder. 

Right:- Piston pushed back in cylinder until connecting rod small end and crosshead are aligned. Gudgeon pin fitted and nut tightened up.

View of the firebox after several days of attention. All stay nuts (approx. 1750) and grate framework have been cleaned. Finger bars have been de-clinkered, examined and in some cases adjusted to ensure the rocking grate works freely. Fusible plugs are to be replaced. Tube plate cleaned and tube/flue ends inspected.

General view of the front of the loco as it undergoes a piston and valve exam. Both of the front valences have been removed to give easier access to the front of the cylinders. 

Left top:- The union link has been disconnected from the crosshead. This allows the crosshead, after disconnecting the connecting rod, to be pushed forward until the piston comes out of the front of the cylinder. Access can then be gained to the piston rings and slipper.

Left lower: The gudgeon pin after removal from the crosshead. (Added 23/11/2006)

Right:- Drivers side cylinder and piston. The slots at the top of the cylinder end are the port from the valve; the hole in the bottom of the bore is the port for the drain cock.

(Added 23/11/2006)

Left: Piston ring ground to length and ready for installation.

Right: Installing the piston ring.

Left:- Fireman's side valve ready to be removed.

Right:- Applying hydraulic pressure to move the valve spindle forward.

Left:- front bobbin is out of the bore.

Right:- removing the valve rings.

Left:- Using a rope over the smoke deflector handrail to take the weight

Right:- Almost there.

Left:- Valve spindle out. 

Right:- Labelled photo.

A wash in paraffin before work starts on cleaning up the valve ring grooves. 

The fireman, having just surrendered the Ramsbottom - Rawtenstall token, prepares to collect the Ramsbottom - Bury token from the signalman (far left). Entering Ramsbottom platform 2 and passing 3F 47324.

Photos (taken on 10/6/2006) courtesy of Howard Hookham.

Heywood station. 

In brilliant sunshine the 9F  approaches Manchester Street bridge (left). After running round the train, the loco moves toward the ground frame operated point under the bridge (middle), and then reverses onto its train (right).

Photos (taken on 10/6/2006) courtesy of Howard Hookham.

Added 10th August 2006

Two shots of the 9F at Bury platform 3 awaiting departure with the dining train. Photos courtesy of Robin Guild.

Friday 4th August Thomas event. Passing the 4F and Troublesome Trucks at Ramsbottom (left). Signalled into Bury platform 3 and passing Western Prince at Castlecroft. Photos courtesy of Chris Rogers.

Photos (added 9th May) moved here on 11th July.

Photos taken on 31st March (Shed Views ) and 13th April (Tangmere lift).

45231 at Baron Street shed on Thursday 23rd March 2006. 

ELR on shed Friday 3rd March 2006. 

Four locomotives being prepared on shed. The 3F and 9F will run the Saturday ELR timetable, the Black 5 and Standard 4 will depart at 03:15 the following morning for Liverpool Lime Street.

Sundays ELR timetable will be run using the Black 5 and 9F.

Photos taken on 28/29th January 2006 Steam Gala - on shed.

28/29th January 2006 Steam Gala - Waiting at Baron Street Halt for 5690 to pass.

28/29th January 2006 Steam Gala - On the line.

92214 after arriving at a very icy Rawtenstall station.

76079, seen here running round the train at Rawtenstall,  carried a headboard for the rest of the trip.