Nearly complete, the new water tank and coal bunker stand in the fabricators workshop last week. Above you can see the front water tank before the outer sheets were fitted, showing the perforated internal baffle plates, and below, nearing completion. The blue steel sections are temporary supports, used while the tank parts are welded together to maintain rigidity; they are removed when the tank is complete.
These two photographs show the dummy rivets, which the fabricator is in the process of fitting. Attached using studs and a stud welder, this method is quick and easy to use. The tank platework has a mark etched into it at each rivet centre by the laser cutter which profiles the plates, and this is used to accurately locate the studs for welding, after which the pre-machined rivet heads are welded to the stud.
How long before she is back on the rails?
