45407
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:10 pm
45407 has been 'stopped' today following the discovery of faulty stay material used in the manufacture of firebox sidestays despite there being material certification stating that the material is the desired copper grade of C107...which it evidently is not. 44871 has just had a similar examination and treatment, with all the faulty material copper side stays removed. In 44871's case, this was some seventy stays all in the backhead and accessible with the boiler in-situ, unfortunately, we have identified over 200 stays in 45407 which will require the boiler lifting from the frames to facilitate the stay replacement.
Following the revelation of this widespread problem within the industry last year, we purchased a ''Nighton'' xray machine which is calibrated to identify elements in metals....and its findings are unquestionable, our staff having been trained and certificated as competent in its operation.
We have proved that the normal hammer test examination of the side stays cannot detect when these stays are broken and it is our belief that we should not allow operation of our locomotives with sub standard materials fitted to such a safety critical component as the boiler and firebox. Indeed when the stays were being removed from 44871 is was found that many of them were broken although only fitted some four year previous.
This material is present in other locomotives, fitted by others but the authorities choose not to be worried about it themselves.
I will appeal to our works staff to deal with 45407 with the greatest of importance, and hope not to miss any pre-booked work for the locomotive.
Following the revelation of this widespread problem within the industry last year, we purchased a ''Nighton'' xray machine which is calibrated to identify elements in metals....and its findings are unquestionable, our staff having been trained and certificated as competent in its operation.
We have proved that the normal hammer test examination of the side stays cannot detect when these stays are broken and it is our belief that we should not allow operation of our locomotives with sub standard materials fitted to such a safety critical component as the boiler and firebox. Indeed when the stays were being removed from 44871 is was found that many of them were broken although only fitted some four year previous.
This material is present in other locomotives, fitted by others but the authorities choose not to be worried about it themselves.
I will appeal to our works staff to deal with 45407 with the greatest of importance, and hope not to miss any pre-booked work for the locomotive.