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Build Diary entries for February 2014

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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February Round Up
25/02/2014
  Third combined frame stretcher

Hot off the presses is the news that the third and final combined frame stretcher has been cast at Norton Cast Products! We await the test results but this should bring to a close one of the most challenging aspects of the project to date. Full credit to Norton Cast Products' team and our engineering team for achieving what was starting to look impossible. One offs of such complexity are not favoured by foundries as the first casting can eat away the profit if the casting process fails.

As soon as I receive the photos they will be shown here!

Slide bar bracket casting

We will shortly be placing an order for the two slide bar bracket castings.

Fabricated stretchers

We will shortly be placing an order for the remaining fabricated stretchers. These, along with the slide bar bracket, will complete the set of components required to start the frame assembly.

Machining and assembly

A new section title!
Stephenson Engineering have completed work to prepare the horn guides to be welded into the frames. This marks the first assembly work on the new frames and the start of many news updates I'm sure!

Funding

The ordering of the last components is great news from the project and really shows just how far we have come along in the last 2 years. We have only been able to do this through the dedciation of the team behind the project and our members and supporters.
We now need to look forward 12 months to the start of the frame component maching and assembly at Ian Riley & Son (Bury) and at Stephenson Engineering.
   
The Clan Project asks 5AT Group to conduct Feasibility Study
27/02/2014
  The Clan Project is pleased to announce that they have asked the 5AT Group to carry out a Feasibility Study to look at improving the performance of 72010 to make it suitable for the 21st century railway. The Feasibility Study will look at the exhaust system, boiler, piston valves and pistons. The improvements are targeted at performance and economy.

Before development stopped on steam locomotives, British Railways were looking at further improvements to the draughting, beyond those carried out to the initial batch of locomotives. This approach is consistent with the intention to build 72010 with the modifications proposed for the cancelled second batch of locomotives.

The 5AT Group, in partnership with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, has recently completed the installation of a Lempor Exhaust on ex- US Army Transportation Corp S160 No 5820.

Geoff Turner – Engineering Director of the Clan Project commented – “This is a wonderful opportunity to further enhance the design of the ‘Clans’ as a continuation of the 1954 design improvements. The 5AT group have a great deal of knowledge from design work undertaken for the 5AT locomotive which can be incorporated into the development of the ‘Clan’ making it a suitable locomotive for the 21st Century and to keep up with the latest requirements for mainline operations.”

John Hind – Chairman of the 5AT Group commented - “A great deal has been learnt during the 5AT project that applies to steam locomotives of all types, and we are excited to use the legacy of 5AT for the benefit of the Clan Project ”

Notes to editors:

5AT Website: - www.5at.co.uk
Clan Project Website: - www.72010-hengist.org

The 5AT Group was founded in 2000 to support the development of David Wardale’s 5AT locomotive. The project was abandoned in early 2012, when funding could not be secured. The legacy of the 5AT is that the group can use the principles laid down in the 5AT Fundamental Design Calculations to “modernise” both existing locomotives and recreations of old designs. The Fundamental Design Calculations, plus the use of 21st Century Design Tools and Techniques are the foundation of the Group’s capability to help heritage railways, mainline steam locomotives and new-build steam projects.

The Standard Steam Locomotive Company Ltd (parent body of the Clan Project) was set up with the objective of building the 11th BR Standard Class 6 'Clan' locomotive. The company is responsible for administering its construction, operation and maintenance and to facilitate its demonstration and display for historical, educational and recreational purposes both on the mainline and heritage railways throughout the country.