No.5 Mona Project

Another working party of Association volunteers were on site at Port St. Mary goods shed yesterday where work was concentrated on refitting the firebox doors in the cab and the completion of painting the rear cowcatcher and main frames.  There are seven holes on each side of the smokebox, where it is bolted to the cylinders.  Due to the presence of asbestos (removed during decontamination work in 2020) in the top of one of the cylinders, these had to be gas cut off.  To complete bolting the boiler down we cleaned out the slag and spatter with an air tool, to allow bolts to be refitted.  Work on painting the various items of ironwork from the cab has been completed and these items will be refitted soon.  Work continues with the aim of the locomotive being ready to take part in the 150th anniversary celebrations in July.

Work continued on cosmetically restoring No.5 for the 150th anniversary celebrations in July yesterday evening as the opportunity was taken to paint some smaller components prior to reuniting them with the locomotive as well as the fitting of some parts including the fireman's side clack and smokebox handrail.  Preparation and painting was also undertaken beneath the cab floor before the steps are returned; the next working group will take place on SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY, please contact granttaylor@manx.net if you would like to get involved. We do love a good headboard

Here's a further photographic update from the volunteers' weekend activities on No.5 at Port St. Mary Station showing the progress on painting the interior of the cab, tank brackets, etc., in addition to the continuing work on the frames and wheels; the next working party will take place on SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY and if you would like more information or to get involved please contact granttaylor@manx.net

Another working party of Association volunteers was on site at Port St. Mary yesterday continuing work on No.4; attention was focused on needle-gunning and painting the remaining sections of frames, behind the wheels which involved moving the engine forward to rotate the balance weights out of the way; the brake blocks & hangers on the driver's side also received attention while the cab interior was also treated to its first topcoat of red paint; work will continue as time and manpower allow, the next proposed visit will be on SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY, please contact granttaylor@manx.net if you are interested in assisting.

As work progresses on the locomotive in the goods shed at Port St. Mary Station by Association volunteers, another piece of the jigsaw which brings them closer to completion is the name and number plates with their backing boards which will be painted into the spring green livery prior to fitting.  The bottom nameplate is one of the originals, purchased by the Association, from which the replicas have been cast; the number plate only featured on the fireman's side tank when the locomotive was in the green livery.

Another selection of images from last weekend showing progress being made on the cosmetic restoration of No.5 by Association volunteers in the goods shed at Port St. Mary, including refitting cab plates, the floor and cab seats from No.6 which are to be used as templates to create new one for No.5, and work on the boiler brackets; the next working party will take place on SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY and if you would like to get involved or have more information please contact granttaylor@manx.net