…or more precisely, hard rubber dog balls!  David Elliott is appealing for donations.  Here is what he needs, “I am struggling to find 57mm (2 1/4″) diameter hard rubber dog balls to make up for damaged ones in our set of 86 required to block off all the element holes to test the superheater header. (See photo). These originally came from Pets at Home who now only stock the larger 63mm (2 1/2″) diameter balls. I have spoken to the importer who has also stopped keeping them. Approaches to a couple of local pet shops have also drawn a blank.  I am looking for a total of 6 to make up the numbers – preferably without excessive teeth marks!”  Email if you can help. 

The tender wheels could then be rolled outside the works for cleaning – Mick Robinson

‘Rembrandt’ was not hanging around, one axle pretty much prepped for undercoat – John Wilkinson

Dave Anderson, a man happy in his work, framed by the, well, frames! – John Wilkinson

A tender axlebox removed and on the trolley, the roller bearing is seen on the axle end – John Wilkinson

Both sides of the loco frames have been painted and red lining is being applied – John Wilkinson

Cab, ashpan, Cartazzi wheelset, bogie frame and a piston in vaious stages – John Wilkinson

Steve Wood manufacturing a flange for the cylinder lubrication system – John Wilkinson

The cylinder lubricator with the tools of the machinists trade – John Wilkinson

The freshly painted frames now on stands rather than the jacks, released for the tender – John Wilkinson

Ian Matthews (‘Rembrandt’) takes a well-earned break – John Wilkinson

Tornado rattles the windows at Iver on the outward leg – Ian McDonald

No. 60163 is seen at Ufton Crossing, Aldermaston, on the Berks & Hants line – Peter Lovell

Tornado creates her own cloud as she approaches Kintbury – Peter Lovell

Seconds later she charges through the station itself – Peter Lovell

Still under overcast skies, the train passes Hungerford Common a few minutes later – Mick Rogers

Leaning into the curve, Tornado approaches Great Bedwyn – Robert Stewart

She then roars past the photographer – Robert Stewart

With a DB Schenker Class 66 substituting for No. 71000, the train passes Bishopsteignton – Robert Sherwood

In warm evening sunshine the pair double-head the return run at Combefishacre – Robert Sherwood

The lipped chimney is already in place on the smokebox, ready for the blastpipes – David Elliott

The smokebox door was also re-fitted – David Elliott

Work continues with the motion.  Here the rod bushes are pushed home – David Elliott

The cab is now fully lined and numbered – just needs the workplates! – Mark Allatt

Meanwhile, back in Darlington…… the west side of the support coach is stripped….. David Elliott

….as is the area around the cross passage doorway, the extent of this work is amazing…… David Elliott

….. as illustrated by the now pristine frames – David Elliott

This is the floor level view from the middle toilet – David Elliott

With the corridor connection removed all the wasted panelling can be cut out – David Elliott

Once again Allelys did the honours, bringing the tender from Barrow Hill Roundhouse – David Elliott

As ever, it was a tight squeeze getting the low-loader in position – David Elliott

The wagon stands astride the old scrap road site – David Elliott

The trailer is carefully reversed into position – David Elliott

With the tractor removed, the ram could be built and the tender rolled off – David Elliott

Home and dry! – David Elliott

At the start of a weekend on the M.H.R., Tornado rolls into Medstead & Four Marks – Ian McDonald

While the crew await the “right away”, we can admire the newly applied later BR crest – Ian McDonald

Making light work of her train, 60163 climbs Medstead bank – Ian McDonald

The weekend was blessed with warm spring sunshine, a bonus for photographers – Ian McDonald

Dappled shade accentuates the deep gloss of the new paintwork – Ian McDonald

Tornado carried a wreath in memory of Malcolm Crawley, to whom the Trust owes so much – Ian McDonald

Towards the end of the day, Tornado is seen at Ropley – Ian McDonald

No. 60163 comes back to Ropley shed at the end of a busy day – Ian McDonald

The loco awaits disposal in the fading sunlight of a very pleasant day – Ian McDonald

The boiler is delivered by low-loader from Meiningen – David Elliott

With the frames rolled into position, the boiler is lowered into place – David Elliott

Easy does it!  The pressure vessel is eased into its correct position – David Elliott

Job done! – David Elliott

Students from Loughborough University pose with David Elliott and Tornado – Simon Martin

The ‘Tornado effect’ – crowds swarm round the locomotive at Leicester – Neil Witaker

Tornado makes a thundering departure from Loughborough….  Alan Weaver

…….and heads for Leicester on the only preserved double track in the UK – Alan Weaver

A lovely shed scene at Loughborough – Neil Whitaker

Graham Werrett carries out an MP inspection on the ‘new’ wheelset we have been offered – David Elliott

The ceiling is installed in the workshop area – David Elliott

Peter Beaumont assists in fitting the extensive woodwork in the support coach – David Elliott

Robin Langstaff painting the frame that will carry the mains generator – David Elliott

Lying down on the job!  A1 Trust volunteers sometimes get the toughest jobs! – David Elliott

Meanwhile the wheels had been rubbed down and undercoated – David Elliott

Thanks to Dan Matthews’ efforts, coats of lovely, glossy black paint start to appear – David Elliott

The cab is already beginning to gleam like a new pin – David Elliott

This is one of the Class 66 derived sand traps – David Elliott

Some of the team who are working so hard to ensure No. 60163 is fit and well soon – A1SLT