The fault with D1566 was traced to a stripped nylon gear on the fuel stage of the triple pump. A replacement gear was obtained last week, fitted to the locomotive today and all now appears to be well, with the power unit firing up immediately after the pump was reassembled. The Group are therefore delighted to have the operational fleet back to a healthy four locomotives.
D1566 on Saturday 30th July before failure of the triple pump – all sorted now!
The other members of the fleet have been in action on Saturday and Sunday of the bank holiday weekend as part of the Transport Weekend and Bus Rally. D5310, 5580 and 6940 all performed well, although D5310 mysteriously shut down approaching Deeside loop on Saturday, suggesting another intermittent electrical fault may have cropped up – time to check the engine run circuit breaker legs again then! D5310 and 6940 ended up working different diagrams than advertised on Saturday following a minor derailment of the pony truck on 7822 “Foxcote Manor” on shed, although the 4-6-0 was back in action later that day.
All efforts are now on preparation for our Autumn Diesel Day on Saturday 24th September. All 4 mainline locos are now confirmed as available, the only question mark being whether there will be a 350hp shunter available with 08195 (traction motor overhaul) and Davy (hot box) still out of traffic. Watch this space!