November 2015

After finishing the restoration of the MD2 no. 1633 there was a good opportunity to tackle the LD2 no. 10378, which was also mounted by O & K Sesto, just 23 years earlier. For this purpose she was dragged from her temporary stand to a place nearby the workshop, because of its gauge of 750mm not on the existing 600mm-track, but on the roadway. After releasing the fixed brakes this was not a problem. The condition of the locomotive is very good and the 46 years stay under roof didn’t harm the machine seriously. However, a quick re-commissioning is avoided by the necessary re-gauging.
For it the frame has to be upturned and all upper parts like motor, bonnet and gearbox dismounted.
Because at the LD2 not enough original color remains - in contrast to the MD2, here an "OWATROL restoration" appears not advised. Presumably the not original cab will be rebuilt into the factory version. The necessary, initial weight box is still present.
That nature also chooses at first sight inhospitable places as retreat, could be seen in the air filter of the LD2. Although contained oil therein was dangerously close, insects similar to sedges left their homes in the air gap.

October 2015

Just in time for the autumn meeting at the Schortefeldbahn in Ilmenau the reconstructed mining LD2 no. 6331 was so far completed that it was able to prove their operability on the track. The missing bonnet plates were not a problem, rather the opposite: the inner parts with the large flywheel offered interesting details. For comparison, the nearly completed locomotive of a hobby friend.
The restoration of the MD2 no. 1633 could be finished with the commissioning of the electrical equipment. After the injection pump has been overhauled and properly adjusted, the 22H.P. engine showed its enormous pulling power.

September 2015

After the summer break we continued: reassembly of MD2 no. 1633 is already well advanced, and the termination of the work and the first track run are upcoming. The locomotive shows a beautiful patina and does not frighten the viewer as ugly rust heap. So they looked during the last time of their deployment and their appearance is therefore really authentic.
The machine is a kind of time capsule, because apart from the red paint it is entirely made of parts in the pre-war design until the inch screws (all!). Probably 1963 the store in Sesto was still well stocked. Only the electrical equipment incl. starter was added as a concession to the demands of the present.

July 2015

The M00A no. 126 now has been completed and other projects can be continued.
Thus, the work on the LD2 no. 6331 goes on: the cleaned motor-drive-block has been primed, painted and re-mounted on the frame.




If an engine is finished, this is a good opportunity to disassemble another one. It's amazing to see that it is possible to strip a MD2 just in three hours. The MD2 no. 1633 will be merely cleaned and repaired mechanically. A treatment with OWATROL will replace a repainting because all metal parts of the paneling are still completely remaining and many original colored surfaces exist.

The remaining parts of the M00A no. 126 bonnet were dented, but should not be replaced by new ones - because of remaining the original substance. Despite good locksmith's work, they were barely angular. So that the prepared side flaps did not want to fit. Therefore they had to be adapted laboriously to the hood openings. In addition, matching hood holders were mounted. After the finish of the painting the "OyK" rhombs can be placed. A slightly longer test drive was successful. Withal only one speed forward or backward, the little loco is running fairly fast and usable for swift switching.
The completion of the L180 no. 1361 goes on, although there is still a lot of work to do. The flywheels have a considerable size and substantial rust damages. The parts inside the gearbox have been made moveable and derusted years ago, but the drive has to be finally revised.

June2015

The completion of the L180 no. 1361 wears on, although a lot of work is to do. The flywheels are very large and partial eroded by rust. The gear box was derusted and made moveable years ago, but has to be finally revised. After returning to its place on the frame, it will be possible to get an impression of the equipment hidden by the bonnet.

April 2015

The RL1a no. 6281 is in a condition caused by a long time remaining outdoor. It shows only at the frame small traces of the original paint and is otherwise completely rusty. Especially on the motor housing, there are some rustic conversions from operating times and the overall impression of the locomotive looks quite authentic. So it made sense to remove the machine complete with Owatrol and preserve their current condition for now. As expected, the few remains of paint are now clearly visible on the frame and the overall impression has improved.

February 2015

The works on the mining LD2 no. 5863 go ahead. The motor-gear block had to be de-rusted and prepared for painting. This was done manually with (rotating) wire brush and air nailer gun. The motor is in a relatively good condition, both in the cylinder and in the crankcase. Very interesting is the magnet in the oil filter to collect metal shavings in the oil.



In addition, the completion of the M00A no. 126 is pushed. A roof according to the prospectus photos should underline the toy-like character of the locomotive! Declared it might have originally had none, because it has an exhaust gas scrubber for mine or tunnel duty. But the holes in the hood for the roof pillars were available and the idea is too tempting ... In the web, oil pressure gauge (55mm diameter) was found, fitting with the year of construction 1974 also in age. The rust-colored dust on the glass let expect a sad inner, which was also confirmed after opening. Nevertheless, all the parts were still functional and after appropriate treatment, it is almost as good as new again. Here also added the manufacturers plate with no sign of O&K. But there are still the "OyK"-rhombs on the hood that will be mounted when the sides are adjusted.

January 2015

The M00A no. 126 is now near completion after the engine is also finished. Again, there were a lot of wear and tear to eliminate. Now he gets nearly close to the factory state. Earlier changes such as an exchanged fan incl. bearings and a car cooler were left deliberately, but too amateurish tinkering is corrected. Injection pump and nozzle were of course checked and repaired by a specialist. The back wall of the locomotive and the broken brake lever have been replaced. For comparison, once the initial situation.