Blog Ethos

A blog to provide up to date information on the restoration of Dubs and Co. steam locomotive, builders no. 1415. An initiative to pass on the skills and knowledge necessary to restore a steam locomotive.

Builders Photo

Builders Photo
Builders photo depicting sister engine #1414

History

HISTORY

Steam locomotive carrying Dubs and Company's serial no. 1415, was one of two purchased new by the Queensland Government Railways for use on the Bundaberg - Mt. Perry railway. They were shipped from the United Kingdom in the ship "Scottish Admiral" and were first used in February 1881. They carried Dubs and Company's nos. 1414 and 1415 and were given running numbers on the Bundaberg Railway of 1 and 2 respectively.

In the 1889-90 renumbering of Queensland Railways rolling stock, both locomotives received the classification of 4D9 and No. 2 was renumbered 131. In August 1894, it was sold to the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. for use at their Childers Sugar Mill. The Childers Sugar Mill closed down about 1915, and the locomotive was sold in 1917 to the Macquarie Harbour Board for use in the construction of the Macquarie Harbour breakwater Strahan Tasmania.

The latter sold it to Mr. R.J. Howard a saw miller of Zeehan on the 23rd May, 1941 and he, in 1942, sold it to a Mr. J. Hood. It was to have gone to the Butler Gorge hydro-electric station construction, but this did not take place. It was later sent to Hobart, where it lay idle, in the Railway Yard, for many years.

Project Overview

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The key aim of this project is to restore Dubs No.1415 back to its as built condition, so that it sits proudly in the Don River Railway collection. It will help future proof steam operations at the Don River Railway, by providing a more cost effective locomotive to run, maintain and keep in regular service.

By having this project at the Launceston workshop it is hoped that new and existing members, young and old will get involved in this exciting restoration project. The project is a tool to educate members on what it takes to inspect and restore a steam locomotive. Of particular importance is the passing on of knowledge and skills before they are lost to time.

Help

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO RESTORE DUBS NO. 1415 BACK TO AS BUILT CONDITION.

The restoration of a vintage steam locomotive is no easy task and can cost considerable money, we need to raise money to pay for materials and services to get this loco back in pristine condition. If you can afford to donate some money towards the project we will be very grateful and for all donations over $2, we can provide you with an official receipt to claim the donation on your Australian tax return where applicable.

If you can donate time to the project, why not become a member. no skills required!

If you feel that you or your company can contribute to this project in anyway, please feel free to contact the project coordinator by the contact details on the right side of this blog.

Thursday, 11 August 2016

Today, the Dubs 1415 Project received a significant boost where a person who shall remain anonymous for now donated enough cash to buy two combined cock and feed check valves. The Team thanks the donor.
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Sunday, 7 August 2016

Saturday 6th August 2016
This Saturday stubborn pins, the drain cock actuating lever and rod, the removal of rear driving wheels were the aim.

The Successes
Two rear left and right upper spring hanger pins drifted out.
The drain cock actuating shaft was cut in two places, the inner lever removed and the rods drifted out of their guides.

The Failures
The leading wheel left and right front spring hanger pins still seized after many attempts with the drift and 7 Kg hammer.
The right rear valve rocking lever pin shows no sign of moving, here we are trying ease it with penetrene and tapping the pin to see if it will eventually move.
It would be very nice if we had a magnetic base drill or even a loaner to bore out the pin centres.

The rear driving wheels are still solid in the horn guides with the wedges stuck fast. It appears the method that freed the front driving wheel wedges is unlikely to work here, that was with a large drift and a very large sledge hammer. I think these wedges need the force of a porta power set up to shift them. Once again we do not have this equipment.

We also have to make a some sort of adaption which looks a bit like a stud driver to force the centre pin from the expansion links.

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