Recent work in the cabs of 50030 has been concentrating on freeing off the power controllers. Ian Kemp and Dave Rolfe have sprayed them liberally with WD40 and worked them backwards and forwards. As a result they move for the first time since 1992, albeit rather stiffly in the case of no 2 end controller at the moment. Andy Rowlands fitted, tightened up and reconnected the cables on the replacement set of contacts Dave had removed from one of our spare power controllers, to replace the set found to be broken during our freeing-off of the controllers. To achieve this you need to unbolt the plate that holds the sets of contacts so it swings away from the cams, and refitting the bolts that hold the plate is difficult as the contact springs keep pushing the plate away from the cams, which makes it not the easiest job when hunched up under the driver's desk and you need three hands!
The controller in no 2 cab is still quite stiff despite repeated applications of various lubricants, but the one in no 1 cab is much easier to move. If we cannot make them easier to rotate, we may have to look at removing the entire controller pedestals and dis-assembling them totally to see if the nylon bearings need replacing.
Ian and Peter Carter oiled the main big end bearings and barred the engine round. Andy Rowlands has also been working to refit the reverser air piston in the electrical cubicle of 50030.
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Wes