No.5 Mona Project

In the final working voluntary day of the year yesterday, work focused on refitting the safety valve turret, starting by grinding off the old studs and then welding on two studs to secure the casting.  Time was also spent finishing off the valve gear by fitting new replacement split pins to the eccentric straps, also spent cleaning up some other nuts and bolts for the steps.  Voluntary working parties will recommence early in 2023, the railway's 150th anniversary year, if you wish to get involved please contact granttaylor@manx.net

 Just before Christmas the opportunity was taken to refit the oil cups, or Furness lubricators to give them their proper name, to No.5 in the goods shed at Port St. Mary Station as progress continues to be made on the Association's official project to cosmetically restore the locomotive in time for the 150th anniversary celebrations next year.  Working parties will continue in the new year, if you are interested in getting involved of have any questions please contact granttaylor@manx.net

Work continued on No.5 at Port St. Mary in the goods shed yesterday with time being spent taking stock in the cab of missing fittings.  Removed  to enable them to be repainted and to enable access to the frames behind them  the fireman's cab steps and sand pipes were taken off.   A limited amount of work will likely continue over Christmas  

Some views of the boiler of No.5 being lifted at Port St. Mary Station on 13th December courtesy of Fred Quaye.  Work has now halted for the festive season and working groups will be on site in early 2023; to get involved contact granttaylor@manx.net

The project to cosmetically restore No.5 in time for the railway's 150th anniversary next year took a significant leap forward this week as the boiler and cabs were reunited with the frames at Port St. Mary station; the locomotive is now looking much more like her old self again, with the brass dome cover also being returned; work will now cease for the festive period and working parties will continue on site in the early weeks of 2023 as the railway enters its one hundred and fiftieth year. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Volunteer work continued on No.5 at the weekend in the goods shed at Port St. Mary Station with the frames behind the wheels receiving attention on the fireman's side, needle-gunning and applying a coat of red oxide; an awkward job as the engine is sat next to the goods platform.  Time was also spent finishing off from last week, painting the less accessible parts of the frames around the cylinders.  Work continues at weekends, if you are interested in assisting or paying us a visit please contact granttaylor@manx.net.

Yesterday's volunteer working party on No.5 spent time applying a second coat of black paint to the pony truck and a first coat behind the driving wheels on the drivers' side.   This involved having to do a section and then move the engine to move the spokes to get to the unpainted sections.   A top coat of green was also applied to the repaired fireman's side cylinder cladding and the cylinder drain cock rod was refitted, enabling the boiler to be dropped in.  The next working party is proposed for SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER at Port St. Mary goods shed; if you can assist or would like to get involved please contact granttaylor@manx.net  

Work on No.5 continued at Port St. Mary goods shed yesterday; volunteers refitted the repaired cylinder lagging to the fireman's side.  Because the pony truck was fitted earlier in the week, this involved jacking up the front of the engine to give some room to work; after this green undercoat was applied.  The cylinder drain cock rod was cleaned and painted in red oxide, this rod has to be fitted before the boiler goes in.  The next working party will be on SATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER, please contact granttaylor@manx.net if you would like to get involved or have any questions about the project.

 Some more views of recent progress on the cosmetic restoration of No.5 by Association volunteers in the goods shed at Port St. Mary; the next working party will be on SATURDAY 19th NOVEMBER and all are welcome to assist or come along for a look at progress.  If you would like to get involved please contact granttaylor@manx.net or call in at the weekend.

 Work continues on No.5's frames with today's working party concentrating on painting of the frames and top-coating the running plate and other ancillary items as well as continuing work on the brass dome cover which is now starting to shine again.  There will be more volunteer working parties next weekend at Port St. Mary in the goods shed where work will continue on painting, preparation and hopefully refitting the pony truck.  If you can assist please contact granttaylor@manx.net or turn up on the day, all welcome!