News Archive entries for August 2021

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.

Previous Month

Return to 2021

Next Month

Speedometer System
02/08/2021
	The speedometer system on our locomotive comprises of 3 main components 1. The speed signal generator which is bolted to a return crank on the LH trailing driving wheel crank pin 2. A wheel adjustment box which is bolted to a bracket on the front left bottom of the firebox 3. The driver's speed indicator which is fitted to a bracket bolted to the roof of the cab. In the photo are the speed indicator and 2 brackets. We have a speedometer generator but it is the type that is directly fitted to an axle end. We have a wheel adjustment box but unfortunately it is missing one of its mounting lugs. If you have any of these items and you would like to help the project, please get in touch!
Cab Water Gauge Protectors
17/08/2021
	In the cab of a steam engine are normally 2 boiler water level gauges. They are a very important part in managing the boiler as if the water level gets too low, the firebox can get too hot. The metal will then deform and eventually this can lead to a boiler exploding. The water gauge is a heavy duty vertical glass tube running between two ball valves. In the event of the glass breaking the gauge can be isolated. Surrounding the tube is the water gauge protector which you can see in the photo. The right hand part is the back wall and the BR drawing says that it is enamelled white on the inside. However it is common for the inside to be painted with black and white stripes. The protector glass magnifies them and the refraction of the water in the tubes turns the lines through 90 deg's so that below the water line the lines change direction and above the water line they are straight in the 45 deg. The left hand part is the front and sides and pieces of heavy duty glass fit in the slots you can see. Should the glass tube break (and the water inside is at boiler pressure) the protector will contain the pieces. We have 3 of these so today, Mike and Ashley decided which were the best set. They have been stripped down to bare metal and received a coat of primer.