Wab794 Restoration Progress - 1999

[Current] [2003-04] [2002] [2001] [2000] 1999 [1998-97]

21st December 1999
At the same time that the main drivers were crack tested we also checked all the bogie's axles. This pictures show the testing in progress. No problems were found.

21st December 1999
The wheels have arrived back at Feilding from the Hutt Shops with their new tyres fitted. The axles have passed their crack testing. We are currently dismantling both the front and back bogies, to check the springs and bearings. We intend to sand blast the two bogie frames soon.

11th October 1999
We firstly cleaned the underframe with needle guns to allow inspection for cracks and signs of corrosion.

31st September 1999
After a month of preparation the Wab was lifted on the 31st September 1999 by two large cranes to allow the three driving wheel sets to be removed. The front and rear bogies were also removed for inspection purposes. Once the wheels and bogies were out of the way the Wab was lowered onto temporary passenger carriage bogies. We removed the bearing boxes from the wheel sets. Then the wheels and new tryes were placed in a four wheel wagon for railing to the Hutt Shops. Tranz Rail intends to retyre the Wab wheels during October.

1st September 1999
We have now raised the necessary money to retyre the Wab, thanks the NZRLS helping with a few thousand dollars and we have shifted the Wab into a different shed with a concrete floor. This will enable us to lift the loco and remove the Wab's wheels.

15th June 1999
Other big problems we have had is thieves breaking into the shed where the Wab is stored and stealing copper pipes and brass fittings from the Wab. We have remade a lot of the fittings that were stolen and found replacement pipework, but only after many hours work by members. To prevent this happening again we have fitted a burglar alarm and sensor lights to the shed. Currently work includes fitting the pipework back onto the Wab, finishing off the cladding of the firebox and preparing the Wab to have its wheels removed.

15th June 1999
In June the locomotive was inspected by a Tranz Rail Engineer to work out whether the loco will pass Tranz Rail's safety inspection. Unfortunately the engineer found the tyres on the Wab's wheels must be replaced. Early reports suggested that they should only need a reprofile on Tranz Rail's under floor wheel lathe at Thorndon. We have asked Tranz Rail for a price to fit the new tyres and when they could do the work. We already have the replacement tyres for the job, these came from the NZRLS (NZ Rail Locomotive Society).

11th May 1999
We have now reclad the boiler. This involved cutting holes in the sheet steel for the pipe connections and putting the curve of the boiler into the steel with rollers. We have sanded and spray painted both sides of the sheet steel with primer.

18th Feb 1999
We have successfully completed a preliminary hydraulic test. The boiler was compressed to 250 psi and a couple of cracks have been found around the extra row of stay bolts. The boiler inspector has designated a welder to complete the repairs. The welder ground out the cracks and has tig welded them up. We have re-hydraulic tested the boiler and all appears to be OK.

30th January 1999
The headlight has been refitted after being refurbished. Also the safety valve can be seen shinning on the steam dome.

The majority of photos on this page were taken by Stan Jenkins.

[Current] [2003-04] [2002] [2001] [2000] 1999 [1998-97]

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	21st December 1999 At the same time that the main drivers were crack tested we also checked all the bogie's axles. This pictures show the testing in progress. No problems were found.
	21st December 1999 The wheels have arrived back at Feilding from the Hutt Shops with their new tyres fitted. The axles have passed their crack testing. We are currently dismantling both the front and back bogies, to check the springs and bearings. We intend to sand blast the two bogie frames soon.
	11th October 1999 We firstly cleaned the underframe with needle guns to allow inspection for cracks and signs of corrosion.
	31st September 1999 After a month of preparation the Wab was lifted on the 31st September 1999 by two large cranes to allow the three driving wheel sets to be removed. The front and rear bogies were also removed for inspection purposes. Once the wheels and bogies were out of the way the Wab was lowered onto temporary passenger carriage bogies. We removed the bearing boxes from the wheel sets. Then the wheels and new tryes were placed in a four wheel wagon for railing to the Hutt Shops. Tranz Rail intends to retyre the Wab wheels during October.
	1st September 1999 We have now raised the necessary money to retyre the Wab, thanks the NZRLS helping with a few thousand dollars and we have shifted the Wab into a different shed with a concrete floor. This will enable us to lift the loco and remove the Wab's wheels.
	15th June 1999 Other big problems we have had is thieves breaking into the shed where the Wab is stored and stealing copper pipes and brass fittings from the Wab. We have remade a lot of the fittings that were stolen and found replacement pipework, but only after many hours work by members. To prevent this happening again we have fitted a burglar alarm and sensor lights to the shed. Currently work includes fitting the pipework back onto the Wab, finishing off the cladding of the firebox and preparing the Wab to have its wheels removed.
	15th June 1999 In June the locomotive was inspected by a Tranz Rail Engineer to work out whether the loco will pass Tranz Rail's safety inspection. Unfortunately the engineer found the tyres on the Wab's wheels must be replaced. Early reports suggested that they should only need a reprofile on Tranz Rail's under floor wheel lathe at Thorndon. We have asked Tranz Rail for a price to fit the new tyres and when they could do the work. We already have the replacement tyres for the job, these came from the NZRLS (NZ Rail Locomotive Society).
	11th May 1999 We have now reclad the boiler. This involved cutting holes in the sheet steel for the pipe connections and putting the curve of the boiler into the steel with rollers. We have sanded and spray painted both sides of the sheet steel with primer.
	18th Feb 1999 We have successfully completed a preliminary hydraulic test. The boiler was compressed to 250 psi and a couple of cracks have been found around the extra row of stay bolts. The boiler inspector has designated a welder to complete the repairs. The welder ground out the cracks and has tig welded them up. We have re-hydraulic tested the boiler and all appears to be OK.
	30th January 1999 The headlight has been refitted after being refurbished. Also the safety valve can be seen shinning on the steam dome.