4709’s pony truck refurbishment

“We’re nearing the end of a lengthy refurbishment programme for 4709’s pony truck, reports Leaky Finders Rory Edwards, from the company’s workshop near Exeter. “The wheel set and axle boxes will soon join the locos chassis, which should be ready to be wheeled early next year.”

The pony truck had been delivered to Leaky Finders (LF) from Tyseley as a kit of parts, with most of the fitted bolts missing. To enable the LF team to measure and assess the condition of the hornblocks the holes needed reaming and some barrel drifts making.

Edwards explains the process; “The frame was put up onto our big machined fixture block, so that the hornblocks could be held in position with the barrel drifts and measurements between horns taken.”

The measurements enabled LF to set up the blocks on their horizontal borer and skimmed. That completed, the barrel drifts have now been replaced with fitted bolts. During the process, LF took the opportunity to also fully clean back the remaining components and carry out MPI testing where necessary. 

The programme has still not been easy for Leaky Finders; “The pony truck was uplifted from Tyseley some months ago and we’ve been busy with it ever since,” says Edwards. “We’ve got a copy of every drawing in existence and engaged Bob Meanley to assist with additional assembly and component drawings, to ensure that the differences between donor 41XX pony truck and 4709’s are overcome and the new truck assembly is safe and performs as expected.”

Nearing re-assembly, the pony wheelset has been shot blasted, primed, under coated and already received its first coat of gloss paint. On completion, the entire truck will join 4709’s other wheelsets in storage, awaiting the next stage of the (re)build.