Latest News
Current news items are listed below. If the Acrobat icon is shown, then click on the icon to read the attachment. If an image is shown, you can click it for a full size image. You can find old news items in the News Archive.
Bogie Frame Keeps | |
12/02/2025 | |
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John has now started to work on the fitting of the frame keeps. The keeps close the gap across the bogie frame below the axlebox on the wheelset. Each keep will need to be fitted individually to the bogie frame. John has to carefully file away the locking face checking with a large micrometer until the required dimension is achieved. We have a video of last weeks bogie assembly trial which can view on this link. |
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Bogie Axlebox Clearance Checks (1) | |
03/02/2025 | |
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At last Octobers AGM, we showed a partly assembled bogie. At that time, we did not have the axlebox liners fitted so there was quite a big gap between the liners and the axleboxes. Over the last few weeks, we've been working on the liners and today we want to see if the bogie frame could be fitted over the wheel sets. The wheels sets were carefully positioned and then it was time to see if the frames could be lowered onto the wheelsets without locking up. With a little bit of manoeuvring, and plenty of grease applied to the faces, the frames were lowered down onto the wheelsets without any problems. here you can see one of the wheelsets in position. Note that the black cap in the centre of the cannon box is a temporary fitment. A condensing vent will need to go here |
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Frame Completion | |
20/01/2025 | |
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Our aim is to have the frames completed for our Open Day in April. We're now working on the small number of jobs that require attention. The bolts for the dragbox are on order and an order has been placed on Varley Boilers for riveting of the hind beam. In the photo, Mike and Roger are working on fitting the bolts for the pony truck pivot bracket which is bolted to the bottom of the firebox support stretcher. These bolts need to have split pins fitted to the tail shank of the bolts. Meanwhile, the rest of the Monday Gang are working on the right hand side of the frames, cleaning, preparing for paint and then painting. Ashley is wielding the paint brush. Note that the smokebox saddle will not be permanently fitted in the frames at this stage. We are still discussing how to install the cylinders and it may be necessary to remove the saddle in order to drill and ream for the cylinder fitted bolts. |
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