Apologies for the lack of a blog last week – we just ran out of time, partly due to illness. However, there has been plenty going on, so a quick synopsis here.
There have been further working parties to Bury to remove 5643’s pistons so that any swarf resulting from the valve re-bores could be removed. 
The pistons have now been re-fitted, with John Dixon seen coaxing one of the pistons into position.
The smokebox door has been removed so that corroded platework (seen above) can be replaced.
Work has continued on Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5 where Phil Bell has been doing preliminary work to replace some of the corridor ceiling. John Davis and Roger have been removing more old varnish from the corridor veneer. 
Tim has been working with John Dixon to repair the gas light housing turrets prior to re-fitting.
Ade has refitted the second of Caliban’s front buffers, which had to be removed to enable the re-bore of the cylinders to take place.
Sam has been cleaning up Caliban’s regulator handle with emery paper.
Paul Newton has set about restoring the Furness Railway bench that was brought to Preston recently by Jim Kay.
Keith has been progressing the fabrication of Wootton Hall’s reverser control.
There has been good news from Embsay in that Cumbria’s safety valves and blower/sanding valve have both returned from South Coast Steam after repair and been fitted. The locomotive has now been steamed and the valves set, ready for a visit from the boiler surveyor this Wednesday.
Finally, a visit to Scruton on the Wensleydale Railway on Saturday found the former Vickers Gun Range signalbox (previously donated by the FRT) looking in good shape. It is planned to site this permanently at Leyburn to control a loop that is being installed.