Build Diary entries for June 2023

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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Dimensional axlebox checks.
07/06/2023
	Liam from CTL Seal, using a Faro Arm to check some dimensions on the axleboxes, so that we can accurately machine the liners that will be fitted to the front bogie axlebox guides. The Faro Arm is a portable coordinate machine that can measure complex 3D objects with high accuracy and speed. The Faro Arm has multiple joints that allow it to move in different directions and capture the location of a probe in 3D space. It is used in 3D inspections, CAD comparisons and dimensional analysis.
Firebox Stretcher Bolts
12/06/2023
	Not the best of photos as trying to take photographs while you are working on a locomotive's frames aren't exactly compatible! Today the bogie frame assembly has been moved to the machine shop so the machining of countersink holes for the frame plate to stretcher bolts can start tomorrow morning. Mike and I worked on fitting the 4 7/8 inch bolts at the top of the firebox support stretcher. These have countersunk head so that they do not obstruct the wedged key that is used to hold down the front firebox support shoes. We had to use our screwjack to firmly hold the bolt heads in place while we tightened up the nuts on the outside of the frames. The bolt heads have an angled hole through the bolt head which you can make out in the photo. We will drill through this hole into the stretcher and then fit a roll pin to ensure that the bolt head cannot turn.
Bogie Frame Machining
19/06/2023
	The bogie frame is now on one of the machines at CTL Seal. The frame has largely been assembled using temporary metric bolts - where you can see bolt heads on the frame, these are the final fitted bolts. We now need to form countersinks on the frame for most of the positions where temporary bolts are fitted. We need to use countersink head bolts as hex head bolts would foul the bogie spring hanger which sits alongside the frames. The countersinks will be formed using a CNC program rather than using a countersink bit as this should give a better finish.
Bogie Frame - Countersink Machining
21/06/2023
	The machining of countersinks on the bogie frame was finished today so we should start installing bolts next week. After the frame was swapped around on the machine, Sam from CTL Seal starts machining the first countersink. The holes to be machined are marked by a square marking around the hole, 13 per side. The countersink needs to be 2" (50mm) in diameter at the surface of the plate and CTL Seal advised against using a countersink bit. The cutter has a 45 degree cutting head. Sam lines the tool head up with centre of the hole. The bit is moved to the left hand edge of the hole and then, under the control of a CNC program, sets the bit to move in a series of decreasing circles while moving further into the material. This gives a good countersink surface so that the countersink head bolts will seat firmly against the countersink hole.
Painting the Bogie Spring Cradle
26/06/2023
	For painting the spring cradles, we are applying 1 coat of etch primer, 2 coats of undercoat and 2 coats of gloss. Each coat is given a week to dry. last week, Ashley added the final coat of gloss to the bottom of the cradle, so 5 of us carefully rolled the stretcher over so Ashley can paint the top surfaces. Here Ashley and Neil prepare the surfaces for the coat of primer.