Prior to CF going to the Basingstoke show a few weeks ago, the Stirling 8’ single No 547 had a bit of work done on it to tighten up on clearances. As is well known, the Stirling singles don’t have any clearances, so any wear can have lively results, electrically. The drive wheel gear box had become a little loose in the frames and so some judicious packing and re-setting have solved that problem, whilst at the same time I re-trimmed the engine for ride height. Indeed, the two singles, No 21 the Ivatt 7’ rebuild, and No 547 performed near faultlessly for the duration of the show.
Unfortunately, the H1 class Baldwin 2-6-0 failed to proceed, whilst hauling 30 wagons at Basingstoke on the Saturday afternoon. A preliminary strip down at the show pointed at wear in the gear box. On examination at home, it became obvious that the worm wheel had worn out, with the worm also showing signs of some wear.
About ten years ago, the 1.5mm steel cross shaft that the worm wheel ran on had enlarged its bearing hole in the gear box sides, which were reamed out and the shaft replaced by a new 1.8mm diameter pivot steel shaft. The worm and small reduction gear were also replaced at the same time, even though they were not greatly worn. On rummaging through the spare gears pots they were found again and the worm gear rebored to fit the larger shaft. With it all back together again it ran smoothly and should be good for a few more miles.
This engine has probably done 300 miles since it’s introduction in 1996. One of the problems with old locos is remembering how they were made and assembled, there are 32 x 16 & 14 BA screws holding the Baldwin together: recent engines are far simpler.
Both engines will now go through the paint shops for a tidy up.
Tim
You need to paint a little basket underneath it and make it look like a hot air balloon. 
