MARTELLO OVERHAUL REPORT -

The project to overhaul ex LBSCR Terrier No 662 Martello was initiated in 2014, with the objective of raising £15,000 for materials and other costs to get the locomotive running again. This also includes the restoration of an ex LMS brake van to give visitors the chance to ride behind this historic engine on Bressingham's own standard gauge track.

Boiler -

Martello was stripped down over the winter of 2014/15, hundreds of smaller components, including lots of pipe work and brass and copper fittings, being tagged and stored in safe keeping. The boiler was then lifted (Feb 2015) releasing the frames for further strip down - see the photographic record of this on the Martello Gallery page.  One interesting discovery was made - the top of the boiler cladding has a large circular patch neatly riveted in just behind the hole for the steam dome. This seems to suggest that the cladding was modified to suit Martello's A1X rebuild (as the original boiler's dome was mounted further back) and therefore predates the 1912 rebuild.  It demonstrates the make do and mend approach that was typical of many railway companies, especially for older and secondary classes of loco. 

The old boiler tubes were removed after the lift, giving access to the internal surfaces for the boiler inspector.  Non-destructive testing revealed wastage of the metal around the lower part of the firebox throat plate, just above the line of the foundation ring.  This required further investigation and a scheme of work for suitable repairs to take place. This involved cutting out the small segments identified (see pictures below) - the rivets were first removed, the sections cut out and new plate welded into place.  This last job had to be done by a qualified coded welder once preparatory processes were completed - mainly raising the height of the boiler on its dolly truck, using a refurbished gantry.  After welding of the new plate the rivets were renewed.  Once the inspector was satisfied with all this work the new tubes were fitted. These were the single biggest expense of the project coming in at over £5,000 for 119 of them. The cost is increased by the fact these tubes had to be specially shaped by swaging at one end.

At the end of this process the boiler then underwent a number of cold hydraulic tests at increasing pressures prior to an in-steam test. The hydraulic test took place in March 2016, followed a few weeks later by the live steam test. The boiler was then reunited with the frames. Another steam test within the frames happened on July 23rd 2016.  All was well, so the last stages of fitting out could be completed.

Frames -

The frames were thought and have proven to be in quite good condition. Nevertheless a full strip down, degreasing, scraping and cleaning was needed prior to paint priming, rubbing back and repainting.  Other fittings, such as the brake gear and Westinghouse pump, were also repainted (see pictures).  The frames included the wheel sets (which were not removed) and large parts of the cab panels.  It was decided to return Martello into the livery of Southern Railway Eastleigh Olive Green as No B662 - the identity the loco had in the 1920's when it worked on the Hayling Island branch.  Martello has not appeared like this in preservation before.  It has been lined out and backed with black. Reassembly took place as the various components were cleaned, repaired or renewed if required and repainted. Once the boiler was back in the final fitting of the frames could get started, including the many yards of pipework and associated brass and copper components.