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.

Saturday, 22 October 2016


22nd October 2016

The lead up to todays work day was one of anticipation with the possibility of finally removing the rear driving wheels however rain, rain and more rain kept us in doors so its was a good time to clean components.
We started with brake block mounts, these are separate from and bolt to the brake hangers, where there was paint, beneath the cast iron the metal looked as cast. All four have now been cleaned. These have been prime coated.



Next was the turn of a connecting rod and an eccentric rod, After removing the paint and rust a belt sander was used to see if these 1880's rods could be polished enough to leave them bright. The right side connecting rod is badly pitted on the face side and may not be able to be polished because of this pitting. We also had a go at an eccentric rod. 

In the photo below there are from the top, an eccentric rod, two connecting rods and two vale rods the valve rods connect between the valve cross head and the 1 to 1 rocker arm.

The last photo is the right side of newly fabricated drain cock shaft with two of the levers fitted to its keys and one of its bearings mounted.
 

  




  
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Sunday, 9 October 2016

October 9th 2016.

Two 125 x 125 x 19 angle iron brackets with gussets have been fabricated. These will be attached to the frame to give hold fast point so that a porta power can be used to push on the rear wheel axle box wedges to release the rear driving wheels from their respective horns.

Some of the area behind the left rear cylinder has been needle gunned, cleaned and a coating of rust preventative applied.
Three brake hangers, one brake block holder have been cleaned and prime coated.
The right valve chest lid stripped of old paint and rust.To be primed coated

The  running surfaces of the right and left expansion links cleaned and polished. The expansion link blocks were tried in each link, amazingly wear is minimal.  
 
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