February 2025
Boiler lagging was still high on the agenda as we moved into the slightly warmer February. Having made good progress installing the lagging material round the shell, held in place by the crinoline straps, we move on to the somewhat trickier areas of the boiler top around the various pipes and valves that occupy the valve box forward of the funnel. This part of the exercise involves the removal of inspection plates on the top of the boiler casing and beneath the timber flooring on the wheelhouse. The engineer undertaking this task (Andy) then has to lie on his stomach and reach down to feed each uniquely cut piece of lagging under the pipes and round the valves. All very uncomfortable, but not sufficiently to put him off his lunch! Once this area is conquered there is the small matter of the front plate of the boiler which is, of course vertical, with numerous stay-head nuts to cut around. The means of holding each piece of lagging in place is yet to be decided. Also in the Boiler Room ...