Meanwhile, out in the Boondocks………………. inside the railcar Ian McDonald (for whom I still haven’t come up with a nickname) is assisting Sir Colin with the removal of a side window. The rust has indeed worked well and it has been decided to remove at least some of the windows before heading for China. You will no doubt have noticed too, that Ian, who drops by to say hello and go, is quietly being absorbed into the workforce. I’ll get him into overalls yet! (What’s that you’re saying Ian?)

Another part of the day and Mike Lawson kindly came over with the forklift from the Rural History outfit to help us with some weighty transfers. Seen here retrieving rubbish from on top of the front footplate off ‘F13’. Look back to the top of the container (left) and you can just see that the two cowcatchers have vacated, courtesy of Mike.

Also retrieved with the forklift was the Westinghouse pump for the ‘F’. Mike Webb couldn’t wait to get into stripping it. That may look a bit violent, but he is in fact resorting to that method to remove the baked on cylinder insulation. It had gone rock hard.

An engine from a Bristol Freighter. A Bristol Hercules 700. This is a 14cyl. radial engine of 1775 hp @ 2800 revs. This is as most of you will see also, it is a sleeve valve engine.

What we have here is a Lockheed Hudson. GR lll.

FOR AGES 8 to 80.