22nd April 2010

The frames have been cleaned of any oil and grease and have received the first coat of gloss black paint. The insides of the frames are also receiving the first coat of gloss red.

All axlebox guide liners have now been set. The axlebox guide liners are the metal plates bolted either side of the three large apertures in the lower part of the frames (see photo). The axleboxes fit in these apertures and are able to move up and down in them.

The liners are made of a tough manganese steel which is more able to resist the considerable forces acting upon it than ordinary steel. This later modification reduced the amount of wear and increased the mileage a locomotive could run before requiring attention at the works.