Bluebell Model Railway Weekend

We had a very good two days at the model weekend where we had a huge amount of interest in the loco and what we are up to.  As well as the usual sales stand, we had a display of some of the sphere of interest that the Little Loco Group has, together with a few of the slightly larger locos that live on the Bluebell.

The Little Locos and some slightly larger ones
Back row: 32636 (Fenchurch) in BR livery - 55 Stepney - 27 Primrose - 323 Bluebell - Pioneer II
Front row: H Class 1324 (to be renumbered 1263) - 473 (Birch Grove) - 30583 - 30096 - 30069 (to be renumbered 30064)



the 5 "core" little locos arrive at Horsted Park station (Fictitious!) 32636 has been replaced with 2636!

In addition to the display at Sheffield Park, the "build a layout in a day" stand at Horsted Keynes raffled the fruits of their labours and kindly donated the proceeds to Project 27.  A great vote of thanks must go to them.

A few more pictueres of the current works

Just a few more pictures from around the Villa of work that has been carried out recently including plenty of painting and hole drilling!

The first holes cut with the fitted pin and temporary bolt added.
Also note the other holes marked with the position and size of the holes to be cut.

A view of the frames from the rear again with fitted pins and temporary bolts in position.
There are also a few more holes drilled at the rear.

Part of the rear drag box assembly with temporary bolts holding the angles at the ends.

the two buffer beams and the rear drag box plate having been painted.
The buffer beam at the front has been turned ready to paint the second side.

Various angles and the buffer reinforcing plates having been painted.
These are being kept strictly in pairs to avoid confusion later!

The Valance ends bolted to the angles that will attach them to the loco running plate.

The work carried out by the team is first class and they are hopeful that later this year we ought to be in a position to erect the frames which will be a truly visible and historic step forward in the restoration of the loco.  However to continue the work the continued support from the myriad of followers of the project is vital.


Thank you for your support and interest in the project, we look forward to repaying your support by having the loco in steam in a few years.  



Please remember that the work can only continue with the donations, support and interest that is forthcoming from all of our supporters. 

 

If you would like to help us to continue this work with a donation, please go to our BT MyDonate page

 

 https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

 

 or use the QR code below.

Exciting news from the engineering team!

Holes cut in the frames

At last Saturdays working day, Matt, Ben and the crew started on the drilling and reaming of the frame plates.  the following pictures illustrate this and other works that were carried out on Saturday.  The first pictures show the drilling operations and these are followed by a few pictures of other tasks that were carried out.

Matt at the point of no return

 Matt was entrusted, following many hours of marking and checking, with the "honour" of drilling the first hole in the frames! The frames are accurately positioned on top of each other so as to be assured that the holes match on both sides. If there are any mistakes it is all on Matt's shoulders!  There is an air of great confidence in the work that Matt and the team have been doing.

The cutter passing through the frame plates for the first time

 The cutters used are somewhat different to the type of drill you may use at home.  They are cutters which have cutting edges up the helix as well as on the lead edge, they look somewhat like a milling tool.

Break through!

 The first hole has been cut!  Time now for a cup of tea and then crack on with more!


 Ben reaming out the first hole 

Following the cutting of the first hole, it was reamed out using a bridge reamer to finished size ready to have a precision machined pin inserted. This will lock the two plates together. 

The reamer passing through the cut hole

 

The hole finished to final size

 The hole was protected with fluid prior to the fitting of the machined pin.

The pin inserted

 At the front of the frames all the centre marks have been circled in chalk and the hole sizes marked to assist in the avoidance of holes being drilled in the wrong place or the wrong size.  It is also possible to see the locating pin and a temporary bolt fitted to hole the two plates firmly together.

Towards the middle of the frames a further pin and bolt were added

 

Holes at the rear of the frames

All of the holes at the rear of the frames have been drilled and are ready and waiting for the drag box assembly to be added!

Other works carried out

There was also plenty of parts painted in "bonda primer" prior to assembly. These parts are all vital in the assembly of the new frames




Larger items in the Villa main workshop



Sean has been busy with the needle gun and degreaser prior to giving the front and rear buffer beams a coat of Bonda Primer

Angles and buffer reinforcing plates in the paint shop

 Sean has also carried out a similar process on some of the numerous angles and spacer plates in preparation for the assembly of the new frames.


The work carried out by the team is first class and they are hopeful that later this year we ought to be in a position to erect the frames which will be a truly visible and historic step forward in the restoration of the loco.  However to continue the work the continued support from the myriad of followers of the project is vital.


Thank you for your support and interest in the project, we look forward to repaying your support by having the loco in steam in a few years.  



Please remember that the work can only continue with the donations, support and interest that is forthcoming from all of our supporters. 

 

If you would like to help us to continue this work with a donation, please go to our BT MyDonate page

 

 https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

 

 or use the QR code below.

Sales stand at the Model Railway Weekend

Don't forget to visit us in the Birch Grove Suite at Sheffield Park at the weekend.  We have plenty of the usual things including war service badges, preserves and other bits and pieces.  The new tee shirt will be launched and we also have half a dozen footplate brushes and some small screwdriver sets for sale .  Even if you just want to look at the display of model P class and terrier locos (Plus a B4 and possibly H class!) please do come and find us and have a chat, we will be pleased to see you.


It is hoped that at some point later in the year we will be able to show you the physical progress on the loco first hand, but at the moment, due to the works in the engine shed, this is, unfortunately, not possible.


Looking forward to speaking to you at the weekend.


Please remember that the work can only continue with the donations, support and interest that is forthcoming from all of our supporters. 

 

If you would like to help us to continue this work with a donation, please go to our BT MyDonate page

 

 https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

 

 or use the QR code below.

Just a reminder!

This Saturday the team will be having an "official" working day on the loco.  This allows the team to all come together and get on with some of the bigger jobs on the loco.  This week, weather permitting progress should be made with the frame drilling.  Other items to be worked on include the drag box. 

I hope to be able to add an update after the weekend.

Also a reminder that we will be having a sales and information stand at the Bluebell Railway Model Railway Weekend on the 23rd/24th of June.  We will be located in the Birch Grove Suite at Sheffield Park.  Along with the usual items, the new "You've been framed" tee shirts will be on sale (L & XL) or to order for other sizes.

Hattons announce 4 new P Class Liveries

Four new liveries for the Hattons P class loco

A further drain on my personal resources has been announced today! 


Hattons are producing another 4 versions of the P Class tank. these will be available for delivery (we are told) on the 17th of August.  The versions announced include:
H4-P-013 - 5027 in ROD green
H4-P-014 - 5753 in ROD green
H4-P-015 - 27 in SE&CR full lined green (with polished brass)
H4-P-016 - 31556 in BR black with early emblem



You will notice that 2 of these versions are further livery variations on 27.  Firstly a pre-grouping SECR fully lined out Wainwright livery and ROD Plain Green livery. I am not sure at present if the "Bluebell" versions will be available in the Bluebell Shop, but the previous versions were.


I will be developing a display of the various versions or 27 for display on our sales and information stands as the year goes on.

An update on the frames at Sheffield Park

Talking of "you've been framed" at the weekend Matt has finished the task of painstakingly marking out all of the hole positions for the various rivets and bolts in the main frames! Just over 400 hundred holes in total have been accurately marked ready for drilling.  The task took around 24 man hours, spread over the last couple of months, this process was very dependant on the weather!

Following verification and a double check, (or measure twice cut once as the old boys say), we will be in a position to commence the drilling the main frames at our next working day later in the month!

Also the Vacuum Cylinder has been finally fitted together and tested.  This passed the test and is fit for use it has now been put into storage.  Once the frames are erected and ready the cylinder will be installed.   

Tools of the trade scattered on the frames as the rear of the frame plates are marked up. 
Each white chalk circle identifies a centre pop which is located at the centre of the hole.

The frame plates laid out on top of one another outside Wainwright House (the Villa)
ready for final marking.

The front of the frames being marked out with the holes for the cylinder block bolts
having been marked out and circled with white chalk

The rear of the frame plates finished and ready for drilling. If you look carefully you should be able to make out the centre popped marks which are within the white circles. These will enable the accurate location of the mag drill when it comes to drilling the various holes in the frames.

Marking out the cylinder centre line and cylinder block centre at a 1 in 9 incline from the centre axle. 
This is highlighted by the yellow chalk marks 

The vacuum cylinder freshly overhauled and tested to CEPS1019 on the test rig. 
The cylinder will now be placed in dry storage awaiting the
time that we are ready to install it within the new frames.

As always all donations to help us keep up the good progress are most welcomed so please visit our donate page via the link below or see us at the upcoming Bluebell Railway model weekend on the 23rd to 24th of June!

 

Please remember that this work can only continue with the donations, support and interest that is forthcoming from all of our supporters. 

 

If you would like to help us to continue this work with a donation, please go to our BT MyDonate page

 

 https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

 

 or use the QR code below.

2018 tee shirt is now in stock

It's arrived!

The new tee shirt design is now in stock. It will be available at the Bluebell model railway weekend at the end of the month and all of our stands during the year. 

They are available instantly in large and extra large with other sizes available to order.  They cost a mere £12 each (plus postage if ordered by post / email).

Every penny of the profit of these shirts goes directly to the restoration funds in aid of Project 27.

Please email the Fenchurch Fund for further details. thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

Please remember that this work can only continue with the donations, support and interest that is forthcoming from all of our supporters. 

 

If you would like to help us to continue this work with a donation, please go to our BT MyDonate page

 

 https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

 

 or use the QR code below.