After an extensive period of crack repairs at the works of Ian Riley and Sons in Bury, our wheelsets were finally delivered back to Grosmont on Tuesday 21st June.

Rapid progress has subsequently been made in the last few days sandblasting and painting, as well as boring the axleboxes.

Meanwhile one of the last jobs will be turning the wheels of the leading bogie to ensure that the vehicle sits level (the driving wheels having been turned to ensure they are true). This is a job which will have to be done by a third party, because a wheel lathe is not available at the NYMR.

Thanks must go to the NYMR for their commitment in helping us get the loco back in traffic as soon as possible.

Photo 1: wheelsets after delivery to Grosmont (note white dye-penetrant spray, used for checking for cracks).

Photo 2: Adrian Dennis of Grosmont MPD gets to work shotblasting the wheels. This is the leading wheelset – work started on that so it could be fitted first, thus allowing the bogie to be removed, enabling it to be sent away for tyre turning – this is required in order to ensure the tyre profile and diameters are correct for mainline running and correctly match the driving wheels (which have already been turned at Rileys). Photo courtesy of A. Dennis/ Grosmont MPD.

Photos 3 and 4: With all wheelsets now shotblasted to remove rust and residual paint (foreground), John Furness of Grosmont MPD gets to work on the painting. Photo courtesy of A. Dennis/ Grosmont MPD.

Photos 5, 6 and 7: Axleboxes being set-up and bored out by Keith Pardey of Grosmont MPD. Photo courtesy of A. Dennis/ Grosmont MPD.