Latest News

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Cab Maintenance
22/07/2024
	Our cab has been sitting outside in all weathers for some time. First at Quorn on the Great Central Railway and then at CTL Seal. Over the past few weeks, Keith and Alan have been strengthening our gantry by adding the sloping beam supports you can see in the photo. This morning CTL Seal helped us do a load test to set a working load for the gantry. The Monday gang spent the morning removing all of the side sheets from the cab frame. Then in the afternoon, it was a team effort to lift off the cab roof. Photo by Steve Preston.
Hoist Gantry
08/07/2024
	Over the years, the project acquired this hoist gantry. Keith and Alan have modified it by welding in new triangular brace struts; this should make it stronger. We've also added 2 pairs of really solid castor wheels to help move it around.
Bogie Frame Welding
08/07/2024
	3 welding jobs were completed on the bogie frame this week. Red Arrow - The ends of the frame stays were welded into the bogie frame Green Arrow - The grease nipple mounting plates were welded onto the "arms" of the stretcher. 5 grease nipples on each side provide lubrication for the hornguides (4) and the base of the bolster cup. Blue Arrow - The bearing spring pads (which are fitted from under the "arm" of the stretcher) were welded into the stretcher. The white marks are the residue from the post weld ultrasonic testing.
Driving Wheel Patterns
08/07/2024
	The pattern for the central driving wheel is now almost complete. Will has developed the 3D model for the pattern and is able to see the results of his efforts in the pattern shop at William Cook Cast Products Ltd.
Driving Wheel Pattern (2)
08/07/2024
	The size of the pattern is more obvious when stood upright. Gary, on the left, from William Cook's has been working on the pattern. The wheel is 6ft 2in in diameter or 1.88m in modern speak! The pattern will be lightly larger due to a shrinkage allowance when the hot metal cools.
Coupled Wheels Pattern
04/07/2024
	William Cook Cast Products have reported that the first of the 2 coupled wheel patterns is almost complete. They expect to cast the first 2 wheels in mid July, Note the ribs at the bottom of some of the spokes. These support the plates which will contain the lead balance weights. For casting, additional material is added to the pattern so the ribs look more prominent. After casting, the ribs will be machined to the correct profile.