No.171 Overhaul (2023-2024)

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No.171 was partly overhauled at Shildon in England in 2014 as part of a grant-funded project. Further work needed to be completed at Whitehead.

18/3/2023: The locomotive's valve gear re-assembled.

18/3/2023: The locomotive's valve gear.

23/5/2023: Driving and bogie wheels lined up while the frame is lifted on the gantry. (J.J. Friel)

23/5/2023: The frame and wheels have been positioned ready for lowering. (J.J. Friel)

23/5/2023: Nearly together again! (J.J. Friel)

30/5/2023: James Spurle adjusts nuts on the trailing coupled wheelset spring hangers - set temporarily to get the frames to sit at the correct height. Once fully reassembled, these nuts are adjusted to get the correct weight on each wheel. (J.J. Friel)

30/5/2023: Adam Lohoff, having helped James fit the hornstays, springs and spring hangers, opens the legs on the split pins on the fitted bolts on the hornstays. (J.J. Friel)

30/5/2023: Jim Adams refitting the driving wheelset oilbox. It still has No.171’s original Beyer Peacock works number 5629 stamped on it – so we know this part dates from 1913. (J.J. Friel)

6/6/2023:Adam assembles the snifting valve. This valve lets air into the steam chest and superheater elements when the regulator is closed, and prevents the superheater elements overheating. (J.J. Friel)

6/6/2023: The valve disc is stamped with "McKencie B Bonze", presumably a reference to the material used. (J.J. Friel)

6/6/2023: The cylinder block is being reassembled with the overhauled valves refitted and the rear steam chest covers going on. (J.J. Friel)

6/6/2023: Front view of cylinder block. Next to go in will be the pistons. (J.J. Friel)

6/6/2023: An example of a part of 171 that dates back to 1913, before the 1938 rebuild - this pivot for the end of the valve spindle is stamped with 171's Beyer, Peacock works number - 5629, found on a number of motion components. (J.J. Friel)

6/6/2023: An aerial view of the frames being reassembled. (J.J. Friel)

29/7/2023: A view of the reassembled motion from above. (R.B. Hill)

5/8/2023: The boiler in the engine shed, ready for fitting to the frames.

22/2/2024: The parts coming together in the Dunleath workshop. (C.P. Friel)

16/3/2024: The dusty job of applying the cladding is undertaken by Nathan Lawrence and (maybe) Robert White. (C.P. Friel)

16/3/2024: The boiler cladding being rolled on.

16/3/2024: The boiler cladding fitted and strapped down.

30/4/2024: The boiler skin being applied over the cladding.

1/4/2024: The cab being prepped.

6/5/2024: No.171 in the engine shed for final fitting out.

6/7/2024: The newly-cast replacement works plates, with the paint still wet.

6/7/2024: No.171 on the Whitehead turntable before being turned to face Larne.

6/7/2024: The locomotive has been turned and re-united with its tender after 20 years. It is being towed to the weighing station.

6/7/2024: The locomotive clocks in at 80.5 tonnes.

20/7/2024: No.171's newly-painted dome - in comparison to that of No.184.

25/7/2024: Being shunted by B142 to allow connecting rods to be attached. (C.P. Friel)

27/7/2024: The locomotive has been steamed and is being prepped over the heavy lift pit. (C.P. Friel)

27/7/2024: The locomotive showing steam on the platform road. (C.P. Friel)

27/7/2024: Moving along the platform under its own power. (C.P. Friel)

28/8/2024: No.171, minus dome, having its final boiler test and inspection. (P. McMichael)

28/8/2024: New fire irons for No.171 have been manufactured at Whitehead. Two new clinker shovels, a new ashpan rake, a new dart, and a new (not shown) pricker. (J.J. Friel)