Early Spring Update

 

 

Having successfully completed the final riveting up of the rear drag box in the latter part of 2019, a daunting task with over 80 riveted joints, work has concentrated on moving forwards riveting up the various running plate support angles located along the frame.

 

 

All 12 frame datum buttons have now been installed and a start has been made at setting up the spring hanger brackets in readiness for riveting these into position. Carrying on from earlier in the previous year and with the arrival of the repair plates a start has been made at welding the leading horns guides ready for machining.

 

With the 60th anniversary approaching this summer the group aims to hopefully progress the new frames with the fitting of the new cylinder block, completion of the frame front end & valence plate work and painted up of the frames into the relevant top coats.

The rear of the frames in early March with the rear drag box completed and with the

majority of the angles riveted in along the length of the frame plates.

 

Some of the running plate irons now riveted in place

 

Another view on the angles.  They are some of the original parts retained for reuse

 

Re bushed spring hanger brackets bolted up into position,

these will need to be correctly aligned using the datum buttons recently installed,

and then reamed through and riveted into place.

The front counterweight and sandboxes temporarily bolted up into position.

This is to help aid positioning the two front pieces of re-used angle irons on the new frames

and making sure that everything will line up later on!

The RHS driving axle horn guide casting with the new repair plate tack welded into position.

A couple of hours later and the repair plate has now been fully welded on and ground back to a rough shape.
The horn guide casting is now ready to be temporarily set in position on the frames.
This is so we can mark out the volume of material that needs to be machined from the running faces
and thus enable the necessary 15 thou running clearances to be mach8ined accurately.
From here we can mill the working faces true and to size ready for final fitment.

 

The LHS driving horn guide casting tacked up and ready for the same treatment
 with the RHS next to it as an example of before and after.

Remember, all of this has been possible with the generosity of people like you that are interested in the project. Without your support we cannot carry on at the same rate experienced so far. Please donate anything you can afford if you would like to see our efforts and passion come to a successful end.

We are also looking at expanding our team of sales stand volunteers, so if you would like to join us, please drop Clive an email at the address below.
One off Donations

A donation of £27 (or any amount) would go a long way towards our aim.
(with gift aid that becomes £33.75)

If you can help us, please make your donation on line at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/27

Standing Order Donations

You can also give via standing order to the Bluebell Railway Trust (please contact us for a form).

The Rivet Club

You will soon be able to join the Rivet Club and make the difference! at £3 a month you could help us see SECR loco No 27 return to steam within the next 5 years! Once signed up you’ll also receive a copy of our quarterly E-newsletter as a way of saying thank you as well as keeping you up to date with our current progress! More details will follow shortly!

Please donate if you are able, it will make  a great difference to the restoration programme.

Thank you for reading this far!  and thank you for the help you have so far given.