Build Diary entries for June 2026

Here are the diary entries for this month. You can use the forward and backward links to see the next or previous months. Most photos taken before 2018 are small size. From 2018 onwards, most photos you see below will have a link to a full size image by clicking on the photo.

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Bogie Pivot work
17/06/2026
	Work continues on the bogie pivot which is fastened to the bogie pivot stretcher with heavy drive fitted bolts. Mike has fitted the first 4 bolts. Today, Mike started drilling and reaming the remaining 4 bolt holes. 2 were completed today and the remaining 2 should be complete next week.Then we can measure the holes and order the bolts.
Axle Checking
23/06/2026
	This is one of Hengist's coupled wheel axles. It is just over 1.6 meters in length and is 228.6mm in diameter at the ends. Today's job was to confirm key dimensions as part of our checking process. The axle has been protected with a combination of grease impregnated tape and preservative oil. Underneath John's left hand is the seat where the taper roller bearing will fit; under his right hand is the seat for the coupled wheel. On 72010, all of the axles are the same. On a Britannia, the centre driving axle is a bigger diameter as this was a more powerful locomotive. All checks passed successfully and the axle has been returned to its box.When we are getting close to wheelset assembly, we will be painting the axle (apart from the seating areas) with oil resistant paint.
Coupled Wheel Cannon Axlebox Patterns
24/06/2026
	Today we visited Norton Castings in Sheffield to check the pattern and core box for the Coupled Wheel Cannon Axleboxes. In the photo, the front pattern is the top half; the rear pattern is the bottom half with the projections for the spring buckle pointing upwards. We checked that the features were all present and did spot checks on key dimensions. The pattern was supplied Bridge Patterns from Manchester. These will now go ahead for moulding, casting, followed by fettling, preliminary Non Destructive Testing, heat treatment, proof machining, final NDT with delivery of the first axlebox scheduled for the end of September/early October. The 3 castings will then go for finish machining and welding on of the manganese liners. Not simple things these steam engines!