50026 Indomitable - Update March 2002

Last summer saw a first for a class 50 (and probably for any preserved locomotive) when the complete inside of the loco (excluding the cabs) was shot blasted and re-sprayed. This has given the inside of the locomotive an "as new" quality with not a sign of dirt or corrosion.

First we were able to rebuilt the fuel and coolant pipe work on the "free end" engine room wall. This involved the reinstatement of our first major component, the fuel-lift pump and alternator. Work during the winter has also seen further progress on the refurbishment of no.2 end cab. This is now pretty much complete and the drivers instruments, lights and buttons have all now been rewired. New wiring has also been installed between the cab and the control cubical.

Now this is complete we have set about the task of restoring all the air pipe work and lighting conduit inside the locomotive. Not an easy task considering the complexity of the dual brake system on these locomotive and the fact that all this copper pipe work had been stolen from the locomotive when purchased. Luckily we were able to acquire some of this pipe work from locos 50001 and 50023 which has helped. First task was to rebuilt the Anti-slip brakes so that the exhauster and blower at no.2 end could be craned back in. This is now complete.

The winter has also seen the reinstatement of the engine-room lighting conduit and bulkhead lights. Progress on this has been good and the nine lights down B-bank are now operating (from a shore supply). A-bank lighting should be completed soon. This has been helped with the donation of the A-side conduit by the new owner of 50023.

The winter has also seen work on overhaul and repainting of the auxiliary machines; 2 x Vacuum Exhausters, 2 x Traction Motor blowers and Radiator fan and motor. The brake frame has also been shot-blasted and resprayed.

Saturday 23rd March was a big day in the restoration project when for the first time major components were returned to the locomotive. A hired crane was brought in to lift back the auxiliary machines into the locomotive. In a very successful 3-hour operation,  x Vacuum Exhausters, 2 x Traction Motor blowers and Radiator fan and motor, and the brake frame were returned to the locomotive (see pictures below).

Work has now started on a complete rebuild of the brake-frame and pipe work, probably the most difficult task in the whole restoration.

Overhauled Radiator Fan and Motor is craned in (23/03/2002)

Overhauled Blower Motor is craned in (23/03/2002)

Framework of the Brake Frame is craned back (23/03/2002)

The "new" brake frame takes shape (30/03/2002)

No.2 end blower and exhauster now in place (30/03/2002)

Fuel and coolant pipe-work in the engine room
starts to take shape (30/03/2002)

Engine room extractor fan (30/03/2002)

No 1 end cab as delivered from scrapyard (click to enlarge)


No 2 end cab after a lot of work !! (click to enlarge)