Maunsell S15 Class 4-6-0 No. E828
"Harry A Frith"

Latest News on E828 'Harry A Frith'

• An inspection of 828's boiler was carried out on 19th November by the Insurance Companies engineering surveyor. Also in attendance were a MHR boiler smith and two ERPS representatives with the previous records for the boiler.

The surveyor's report is awaited, but the main issues identified are as follows:

◊ Wasted heads of side stays below brick arch studs and a small number of broken stays.

◊ Fissures in the internal radii of the copper firebox, these will require further checks prior to repair.

◊ Most foundation ring rivets have wasted heads on the fire side.

◊ A number of firebox lap joint rivets/set screws have wasted heads.

◊ Fireside flanges eroded on crown stays. All will require replacement.

◊ The copper pipe between the dome and the manifold flange has frost damage.

The condition of the barrel was considered to be very good and the thickness of the platework/tubeplates was found to be acceptable. The brick arch studds are also in an acceptable condition.

Repairs to the boiler will involve purchase of material, manufacture and fitting of new side and crown stays, set screws and rivets. Grinding out and welding areas of the firebox is also required. External to the pressure vessel, new steel plate is required at the front of the smokebox.

It is anticipated that much of the work can and will be carried out by ERPS representatives under the supervision of the MHR boiler shop manager. Superficial inspection indicates that it may be possible to re-use some of the superheater elements.

Roger Farleigh ERPS 12th December 2007

• E828 is currently stored at Ropley on the Mid Hants Railway. The boiler has been removed from the frames to discover what restoration work is required.

Work has commenced on 828's boiler with Malcolm Tomlin & Roger Farleigh leading the team on 828.