As the draft gear sits above the bogies, the only way to inspect this equipment is to contemporaneously inspect/repair it whilst dealing with the bogie fitting issues too.
Here we see the MHG sitting up on carriage stands at the Canberra end of the van in preparation of dealing with the bogie mountings and draw gear.
With the carriage raised off its bogie, it is appropriate to pull the bogie out of the way.
When returning a carriage back to service that hasnt turned any serious Km's since the mid 1980's, it is appropriate to inspect all safety critical components.
The king casting has been removed from the Canberra end of the van so that it can be cleaned up and crack tested. Once this has happened, it will be re-installed back into its correct location.
Prior to removing the draft gear, it is much easier to change out existing stubborn bolts holding the keeper plates in with ones that will be able to done up and removed easier when time comes to remove this equipment.
As Oldmate had the time to remove the draft gear, he decided to take it out after changing out the old keeper plates bolts.
Complete draft gear lowered out of van.
At the back of the coupler 'expansion pressure held' in a binding yolk is a buffing package. The package needs to be disassembled for inspection down to its base components. It is seen here having just been removed from the draft gear.
With no coupler, yolk and buffing package - all thats left is the draft gear pocket seen here. This will be cleaned up and inspected for damage and crack tested before any of the removed components will be reinstalled.
Here is the draft gear with the package removed.
Happy times and keep on Privateering til next time!
