First motor overhauls complete

Posted on 2nd September 2011 08:10

Bowers Electrical have completed the overhaul and repair of the first three motors.  Our thanks to them for their assistance in completing this work.

Motor 2 which had flashover damage has undergone repairs to its armature and field windings.  The remaining motors will be put through overhaul in due course.

AH

Overhauled Class 89 Field Converter sees light of day

Posted on 2nd September 2011 08:02

After many months of waiting, 2nd September finally saw testing of the first field converter overhauled at Fletcher Moorland Ltd, Stoke.

There will be several iterations of testing so that we fully understand any remaining defects and ensure that all aged or failed components are changed. We only want to do this once!  The overhauled converter was completely dismantled with each power component being checked and replaced where required.  A number of components were found to be performing outside of their specification and have been changed. The three control PCBs, these run the height of the converter, totalling the best part of 1m! The largest of the three is 2/3 of that. All electrolytic capacitors have been changed, both on the control PCBs and in the power circuit. These deteriorate with age.

Once we have ironed out all of the remaining gremlins we’ll revise the spec for the remaining five converters.

Our thanks to Fletcher Moorland for their continued support.

AH

ACLG Mainline Locomotives Haul GB Railfreight Charter

Posted on 28th July 2011 01:26

The ACLG's mainline registered locomotives 86101 and 87002 were hired to GB Railfreight for use on a staff charter on 23 July.

The tour was between Retford and Edinburgh, with the locomotives also being used on the associated ECS workings from North London to Doncaster and return. 

A video of the charter can be seen at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ebQvG9PcU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

MR

ACLG Restoration News

Posted on 21st May 2011 05:55

The AC Locomotive Group (ACLG) is pleased to announce significant progress in the restoration of a number of locomotives.

81002. The repaint into BR Blue livery of 81002 has been completed.

85101. Electrical restoration of 85101 has continued at a considerable rate with power now having been run through the primary traction circuits from the main transformer through the rectifiers and control equipment to all four traction motors. Proving of auxiliary electrical systems has commenced with power being applied to a number of items of auxiliary equipment including running the transformer oil pump for the first time since the locomotive entered preservation. There remains a considerable amount of mechanical and cosmetic restoration to be undertaken on the locomotive.

86213. The repaint of 86213 at LOROL Willesden has been completed. Following a change of plan, the locomotive has been repainted into Intercity ‘Swallow’ livery. On completion of a number of repairs to the locomotive it will return to carriage ETS and shunting duties at Wembley depot.

89001. The refurbishment of one traction motor and field converter will be completed shortly. The motor and field converter will be connected and tested together to ensure that the field converter functions correctly across the range of motor operating characteristics. Repairs to the damaged #2 motor are continuing with a number of components requiring re-manufacture before this motor can be re-assembled. The ACLG has been very fortunate in being able to source a number of rare and long obsolete power transistors to provide a spares float for the refurbishment of the field converters.   Our thanks to Andy Hurkett of H-Rep for his assistance in sourcing these.

The ACLG would like to acknowledge the assistance of Bowers Electricals Ltd, Fletcher Moorland Ltd and LOROL in undertaking specialist work on a number of the locomotives.

MR

89001 lifted at Barrow Hill

Posted on 24th February 2011 01:18

89001 was lifted by HNRC at Barrow Hill early in December.  Motors 1, 2 and 3 were removed from bogie no. 1 for assessment.  From inspection of the loco sometime back it was known that motor no. 2 had flashed over between the free end of the commutator and the motor enclosure damaging the PTFE ring and mica.  The motors are now at Bowers.  Motor 2 has been stripped and the initial assessment has shown the armature to be repairable.  It is clear that this had been 'fizzing' around a 180 degree section of the commutator for sometime.  There is damage to the (SEPEX) field windings caused by a historic (probably dating from the last overhaul) shorted turn.  The field windings will be removed and a further assessment will be made.

Our thanks to HNRC, Bowers Electricals Ltd and Bralesford Engineering Services  for their assistance.

 AH