50026 Indomitable - Update 9th July 2002

The last few month has seen work progress on several fronts:

1. Brake Frame

A lot of work has gone into rebuilding all the missing air and vacuum pipes throughout the loco. Most of these had been stolen from the loco so we had to pretty much start from scratch. Luckily we had managed to acquire some of the pipework from 50001 and 50023, however some of this was damaged and the ones that were not we were soon to find did not fit 50026 as they should.

In the picture below (click to enlarge) all the white pipes had to be rebuilt from ones recovered from the other locos are made from scratch. All the brake and vacuum valves have also been overhauled to a high standard.

2. Air Filters

The large bank of air filters (added at refurbishment) have now been refitted with the chrome catches all individually cleaned and polished. New filter cages have been purchased and new media elements fitted.

3. No 2 Cab

Work has continued to number 2 end cab. Wiring is almost complete with all the drivers controls, fault lights, back lights and cab lighting now wired in and OPERATIONAL (running on AC off a 110v transformer). The headlight, marker lights and tail lights are all also now working so she looks quite a sight at night!!

New engraved plates have also been fitted around the M8 drivers brake valve (see below):

Work has now started on replacing the wall coverings and partitions in the cab. Originally Class 50 cabs used a perforated aluminium wall covering. Over time the perforations fill up with dirt and paint. We decided the only way was to replace the wall coverings with a solid aluminium covering, therefore making it much easier to maintain and keep clean in the future. The soundproofing foam within the bulkhead wall, between the cab and engine room, had rotted away so new high density (fire proof) foam has now been fitted which should make the cab more comfortable for the driver(s).