Ultrasonic Axle Testing (UAT) was performed on the loco at Cranmore by SERCO today.
By the time I had arrived, Terry and Colin had managed to remove nearly all of the axlebox covers and cleaned the interiors ahead of the arrival of the tester all the way from Doncaster.
The SERCO engineer, Graham, checked all the axles from both sides using his specialised equipment and was fully satisfied with them. He will now issue a UAT certificate for the loco, excellent result!
Following the UATs, the grease nipples on all axleboxes were changed for new ones and fresh grease was pumped in to the bearings.
Next came the laborious process of cleaning the remains of the old seals from the axlebox covers and refitting them using new seals, the axlebox interiors having first been coated in a liberal amount of fresh grease.
Work on the exterior of the loco is now basically complete. The paintwork is finished with a coat of varnish applied together with the numbers, works plates and decals. All very smooth and shiny! One windscreen at No.1 end is currently missing as it unfortunately got broken during installation. A replacement one is on order but it is touch and go whether it will arrive before departure of the loco. The 82A (Cranmore) shedplates are a temporary feature and will be replaced by 73C (Hither Green) ones in due course.
A few minor items inside are still to be completed and a departure date from Cranmore has been agreed. That will not be published here however in case that puts a jinx on it!
The loco will then go from Cranmore for tyre turning at Bristol St. Phillips Marsh Depot and from there straight back to the WSR.
