Expecting Sun; but the Day was a Washout

[Tom Macrery]

Washout - but necessary. Des leads the group, telling them which hole and which nozzle to use, as the powerful stream of water blasts all the rust and scale and gunk from the inside of the boiler and tubes out through the lower holes. Holding the hose is indeed a two-man job as the powerful kick-back is much greater than your average garden hosepipe.

[Gabor Kovacs]

Hi Tom.

Great set of pictures, one of the least photographed jobs, that needs to be done regularly to keep our engines in steam!

Well done to all, and thank you, as 2650 steamed like a rocket yesterday, while doing a rather protracted shunt in Capital Park yesterday (6th Feb 2010).

[John Ashworth]

Des (or is it Les?, I apologize) using the probe to get the gunk out.

That's Des. He's a boiler inspector from the old days of steam. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to FOTR.

There's a set of pictures of Des getting slightly more intimate with a boiler here.