Winter Maintenance 2016 Week 2 Day 5

Sorry this is 2 days after the event but am now returned home and been somewhat busy with other matters. 
Our last day was memorable for a number of reasons:

1. We had a visit from 92 year old Alex Scott who we met in the pub last night (Thursday). He had us in stitches with his less than politically-correct jokes and enthralled by his railway tales. On his visit to the Workshops he brought us each a copy of his book which we wanted him to sign but had to settle for a group photo with him in the centre.
2. The steam brake cylinder having been refitted the connecting rod was put back in place. On the floor of the pit it looked almost harmless but trying to fit it was heavy work.
3. Dave and Mel refitted and connected up the mechanical lubricators. Priming the systems then followed. I learnt that on lubricator does the cylinders and the other the motion with different types of oil going into each.
4. The new fire hose water pipework on the tender was primed with black primer early doors then given a gloss coat by Ken, one of the NNR volunteers.
5. Adrian Vaughan visited the Workshops with his camera (film not digital) and I nearly photobombed his shot of work in the Machine Shop. I was told by Paul our fitter in a quiet voice who he was when he walked in and Paul used very reverential tones exuding much respect. I've since been in touch with Adrian and obtained some of his superb monochrome 76084 related images.
6. Nicky, another of the NNR volunteers, came to say goodbye to us and brought some chocolate mini-rolls to sweeten the parting.
7. Some of us caught the crossing of service trains around 2:30 pm at the same time meeting an avid reader of this blog and witnessing how territorial male Robins are about their patch.
8. Back to the engine and the underkeeps that had been soaking in oil were refitted
9. I finished the greasing of all the 100 (approx.) moving parts of the loco that needed doing ticking them off on an outline diagram of the loco.
10. The tender springs were given a quick top coat of paint.
11. It took several of us to refit the protector plate behind the drawhook which protects an AWS magnet from the damaging swing of the front screw coupling.
12. Parts of the smokebox self-cleaning screens were fitted by Paul.

92 year old Alex Scott in the centre stands by 76084 in Weybourne Workshops with Roger Norris on his right and John Riley on his left.

A few jobs remain before 76084 can return to traffic but they are now in the capable hand of the NNR engineers. I'm looking forward to the Steam Gala in a couple of weeks time that should see a bevy of engines performing with 76084 amongst them.

We met up with members of the NNR Management Team in the evening to celebrate a good week's work over a homely meal in the Tynesider Club before moving on to finish off the Jameisons in the Lobster Inn. 

Thank you, Sheringham for putting up with us for a week and the staff at Weybourne for making us welcome amongst you.