Shotblasting
of the Frames
Shotblasting of the frames took place
in the first
week of October and the following week saw the frames being
painted in a rust inhibiting primer. All the main frames were
shotblasted together with the frames for the Krauss Helmholtz and rear
pony trucks. The work was completed by contractors Campbell Grindlay
Engineering of Llangefni, Anglesey.
The shotblasting was done over a number
of days as
there were so many nooks and crannies that took time to fully clean.
Once
the work was complete the frames were left to dry out whilst members of
Team Wylfa cleaned away all the grit from off the floor. They also had
to replace all the lights in the shed as they had fallen victim to the
grit and water!
As mentioned, following being
allowed to dry
out, the frames were then given a coat of specialist primer.
At
the next working party in November 2009 it was everyone manning the
paint brushes to give the frames a coat of undercoat, Black
was
used for the externally facing surfaces and red for internal surfaces.
This would provide the necessary protection whilst work continued on
the loco.
The gritblasting was significant step
forward as it allowed the re-assembly of other components onto the
frames as they became available.
