Saturday, 31st August 2024 was a big day for the Western Locomotive Association (WLA) and for D1013 Western Ranger.
For the first time in over 50 years, D1013 was lifted on the jacks at the Severn Valley Railway’s Kidderminster Traction Maintenance Depot and its “B” end bogie removed – the overhaul of D1013’s bogies being one of the last major tasks in the locomotives on-going major overhaul.
It is the WLA’s plan to return D1013 Western Ranger to service in 2025.
Bogie work will include the replacement of springs, spring hangers, pedestal brackets, cardan shafts plus a brake cylinder overhaul. Since the lift, the decades of brake dust etc are being scraped off “B” end bogie and underframe. Bogie heights have been measured and recorded and shafts removed, with thrust brackets lifted out. The brackets will be deep cleaned along with the bogie frame, prior to removal of many more items for overhaul or replacement…!