Build Diary entries for November 2013

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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Second Combined Stretcher
01/11/2013
	The second combined stretcher has now been cast! This has been a monumental task. The last time one of these were cast was in the 1960s. All credit to our pattern maker Brian Oldford and Norton Cast Products for completing this stretcher, only one more to complete! Photos will appear here as soon as they are available. The casting will then head to our midlands site until they are required at Stephenson Engineering. We are awaiting confirmation that the 'bread basket' stretcher and brake cyclinder support has been cast. This is due imminently. In the meantime planning meetings are being held for the remaining frame component castings and fabrications with a view to start ordering the next components shortly.
Latest news : 11th November 2013
11/11/2013
	The last few weeks have been very busy for the Clan Project, with the new frames being cut imminently and the new horn guides delivered to Stephenson Engineering the project really is picking up pace. The second combined frame stretcher is nearing the end of its fettling session at Norton Cast Products along with the combined stretcher / brake support stretcher. These will shortly be moved to our Midlands base along with other components ready for the assembly to start next year. The combined stretcher pattern will then return to our pattern maker for final changes ready to cast the third, and final, combined stretcher. We are hoping for this to be completed in December. We are looking at the exhaust system of the loco, more news to follow as this exciting sub-project progresses. Enquiries have gone out for the slide bar brackets, these will be assembled along with the other stretchers as it shares rivet and bolt holes with other components. Enquiries are also being made for the exhaust spider and smokebox saddle fabrications. So why are we going down this route of one huge assembly session rather than adding components as they are cast / fabricated and machined? The frame components share a lot of rivet and fitted bolt holes with each other. We could have used temporary bolts and frame spacers but the cost of moving the frames between Stephenson Engineering and Ian Riley and Son (Bury) would have been money better spent on components and machining. What we will have in the next 18 months will be a set of complete frames being delivered in one piece to the GCR. From that base we can then start work with wheeling the frames and having cylinders cast. We already have the smokebox barrel, ring, door, sacrificial plate, door furniture, chimney, buffers, draw gear, smoke deflectors, hand rails and front steps so it is very likely the front end will take on the face of a Clan not seen in nearly 50 years very quickly once the frames are delivered. We already have the cab structure which is mounted to the boiler although temporary brackets may be fabricated to allow the cab to sit 'on' the frames. These are exciting times and if you can help us in any way by becoming a member or assisting one of the teams at sales events and working parties please get in touch.
New frames cut!
22/11/2013
	The first of the new frames plates nears the completion of the profile cutting stage at Stephenson Engineering (Manchester). This momentous occasion is the commencement of the frame assembly programme that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our loyal members and donors. The second frame plate will be profiled today (Friday) at Stephenson Engineering and the both plates dimensionally checked. The task of welding in the new horn guides, which are already at Stephenson’s, can then begin. This will be followed by a thorough Non Destructive Test (NDT) including Magnetic Particle testing and a Dye penetration test. This possibly all sounds very simple: but when you consider that the frame plates need to mounted vertically to allow access to both sides to allow balanced welding procedures to avoid distortion to the frame plates or horn guides, it becomes apparent that it is not so simple after all. After this is completed the plates will then still need to be drilled, with all holes being undersize by 1/16th of an inch, ready to go on to Ian Riley’s works for fitting of the frame stretchers. I think it is safe to say that as of Thursday 28th November 2013 the future of Hengist is assured. The build programme has started in earnest. There is still time to get your name on our Frame Appeal wall of honour by becoming an individual donor, or better still if you are not already a member, please ‘Join the Clan’ and set up a regular standing order – the “Cost of a Coffee” a week would be a most valuable contribution. See our website, http://www.72010-hengist.org/index.php, for details of how to join us in our adventure. The dream is becoming a reality.