News Archive entries for March 2022

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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SSLC appoints Ricardo PLC as Independent Certification Body
03/03/2022
	The Standard Steam Locomotive Co Ltd are pleased to announce that Ricardo PLC has been appointed as the Independent Certification Body for the building of 72010 - Hengist. To ensure the completed locomotive will be permitted to operate on the 21st century railway, an Independent Certification Body must be appointed to review the project’s design, construction and maintenance plans against recognised industry standards. As the only accredited Assessment Party serving the UK’s heritage railway sector, Ricardo will guide SSLC through the extensive assurance requirements, providing specialist support to ensure all safety requirements are identified and implemented as efficiently as possible. Once satisfied that the relevant standards have been met, Ricardo will issue formal certification that permits the locomotive to operate on the UK mainline network. "The appointment of Ricardo as our Assurance Party marks a significant step in our plans to build and operate 72010-Hengist on the UK mainline network," says Andy England, Chairman of SSLC. "In October 2021 we revitalised our project with a complete rebrand to underpin a new eight-year build plan for Hengist, and welcoming Ricardo on board as a partner is a significant step in delivering this and achieving our vision for Hengist. Our locomotive works at CTL Seal in Sheffield are delivering to the exacting standards needed to operate on the mainline and Ricardo will be instrumental in our journey translating this into a living, breathing steam locomotive that will operate for decades to come". Alistair Leach, Lead Assessor for Ricardo added, “We are proud that SSLC have selected Ricardo to act as their assurance partner and we look forward to a close working relationship”. “It is a privilege to work on these heritage projects. We are currently performing assurance roles on six new steam locomotives around the UK, with each, just like Hengist, driven by dedicated teams with a huge passion for recreating iconic locomotives from the industry’s past that often become popular attractions in their own right”. “Although we will maintain an independent stance throughout, we are able to provide specialist support and advice to each project. We can also use our oversight position to promote collaboration and the sharing of best practice”. Hengist is being constructed at CTL Seal Ltd premises in Sheffield, with frames already assembled and many components on order against exacting standards to ensure operating safety and reliability on the 21st century railway. Ricardo has a proud history of supporting steam railways around the UK and is the country’s only UKAS accredited Assessment Party for the heritage sector, meaning they have proven their specialist skills and processes in this arena to the UK authorities, and can advise and support these complex and unique projects from design through construction to operation and ongoing maintenance.
Pony Truck - Planning
28/03/2022
	To make Hengist happen needs preparation, planning and money. This week we had a review on the Pony Truck, to plan how we are going to make the parts and from that estimate how much they cost. There are 251 parts from large castings, forgings and fabrications through to bolts and nuts, each has to have a drawing and then we have to order it, have it made and then put it through our quality control before they are ready for fitting to the locomotive. This was the first session and there will be several more before we have gone through all the parts and checked our costs. The axle and tyres are on deliveries of 9 to 12 months, so if we want to complete the pony truck in 2023, we need to start planning now!