As ever, I have not been able to devote as much time as I would have liked to garden railway activities since my last update. Unsurprisingly, such time as has been available had mostly been devoted to our new acquisition, Auric.
Naturally, I was keen to get No. 4 boiler tested as soon as possible so that I might be able to use her on the GMES tracks. Unfortunately, she failed the test on a technicality: although her pressure gauge has always worked perfectly when the engine is in steam, when the boiler was hydraulically tested the needle refused to lift! Those present suggested that the relevant pipework had become probably become blocked by scale, so Auric had to go back to Rutton works for the gauge to be removed and the pipe soaked in vinegar. Hopefully this will cure the problem, but unfortunately time pressures have meant that I have not yet had the opportunity to take her back to Guildford and put her on the test rig again. At least the enforced trip back to Buckinghamshire gave me the opportunity to give Auric another run on the MVR; this was her first run on 'home' metals since the handover back in February, and fortunately I had better weather this time!
Naturally, I was keen to get No. 4 boiler tested as soon as possible so that I might be able to use her on the GMES tracks. Unfortunately, she failed the test on a technicality: although her pressure gauge has always worked perfectly when the engine is in steam, when the boiler was hydraulically tested the needle refused to lift! Those present suggested that the relevant pipework had become probably become blocked by scale, so Auric had to go back to Rutton works for the gauge to be removed and the pipe soaked in vinegar. Hopefully this will cure the problem, but unfortunately time pressures have meant that I have not yet had the opportunity to take her back to Guildford and put her on the test rig again. At least the enforced trip back to Buckinghamshire gave me the opportunity to give Auric another run on the MVR; this was her first run on 'home' metals since the handover back in February, and fortunately I had better weather this time!
In early May, Auric then paid a return visit to her former home, the Vale of White Horse Railway. Owner JP had decided to arrange an open day for local members of the 16mm Association, and was rewarded for his efforts with perfect weather and a good turnout. This turned into something of a family reunion, as the Woodrow Light Railway (former home to much of the VWHR's stock) brought a number of visiting locos, and JP's former Roundhouse "Stanley" Parrot (which visited the MVR in 2016) was brought along for the day by her new owner. Several other visiting engines were present, but perhaps the star of the show was the resident Roundhouse DHR B class Kanchenjunga, looking magnificent following recent cosmetic enhancements.
Auric had two running sessions that day, which showed up a couple more minor issues. It transpired that a joint had not been tightened correctly after the engine had had her new poker burner fitted, meaning that gas was leaking into the cab; this resulted in very short run times. To compound matters, I had also failed to tighten the pressure gauge pipework sufficiently after refitting it, which led to water leaking out of the backhead and onto the burner, thus extinguishing the fire! Both issues were easily rectified and Auric was soon back on form. JP commented on the improvement which the poker burner produced; the engine could now manage heavier loads than had previously been possible on the VWHR's steep gradients. As ever, my thanks to our hosts for a most enjoyable day.