Our volunteers continue to test our preserved 121 class loco, 124, at Downpatrick, with another start-up taking place on Midsummer's Day, 21st June.
We attempted to record the event in better picture and audio quality than the first start a week earlier. It wasn’t as dramatic as there was a lot less grot to blow out of the exhaust, and all went smoothly apart from someone forgetting to tighten one of the decompression bolts. Oops. Check out the video of loco 124 undergoing these tests below.
We’re gradually working our way round the locomotive working out what needs attention. There’s something funny going on with the compressor governor we think, hence the rhythmic ‘pff’ noise from it as air pressure builds and some valve somewhere is lifting, so adjustment is needed somewhere.
But it was too hot to do too much more on that scorching Saturday afternoon, other than rev the engine a bit.
The opportunity was also taken to top up the loco with fuel, her first drink in over 17 years.
Loco 124 is topped up with fuel at Downpatrick.
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