A short round up

Just a short round up of the last 6 months or so of progress.

As you are probably aware we are now in possession of a new set of cylinders and a new set of frames for the locomotive.  The frames and associated parts are currently being carefully drilled and machined where required.  This is being done "in-house" under rather less than ideal circumstances at times by Matt, Ben and the usual suspects.  the smaller parts can be drilled inside the Villa, but the frames will need to be done outside.  This process will be dependant on the weather and temperature to enable accurate measurement and drilling.

The frames being cut at Tata Steel

The cylinders were cast from poly patterns and were delivered to Sheffield Park in the autumn of last year.  these have had around 6 months of seasoning in the outside atmosphere of Sheffield Park and are currently at Statfold Engineering for machining into useable items.  We are hopeful that the cylinders will be returned to us around June/July of this year.

Cylinders loaded up for dispatch to Statfold Engineering

We are also having all of the fitted bolts and a few other items machined at the same time, thus saving valuable machine shop time and volunteer resources at Sheffield Park. Once returned and the frames are drilled, it will be possible to plan the erection of the frames, currently planned to be carried out in the open air on the concrete area adjacent to the Villa.

This progress has not been cheap, but it has been necessary to progress the restoration.  Indeed this work has cost the Fenchurch Fund just under £20,000 and this has created a hole in the bank account, of course, this is money well spent.

One of the tanks that need replacement being tidied up for display on Platform 1

Our next expenditure will be the tanks and bunker plus repairs to the cab, though this cost will be mainly for materials.  As The Fenchurch Fund is entirely self funded, to allow work to continue, we must keep the funds rolling in!

Of course there is a big item we will need to fund in the not too distant future, the boiler!  This will include a full survey of the two P class boilers that are not in the working locos to see what can be used from these.  Additionally it is already known that there will need to be a fair amount of new boiler plate required to make sure we have a good boiler that will last many years.  It is likely that the boiler work will cost somewhere in the region of £100,000. 

A P class boiler (Currently in  No.178) The ones in store are not so good.

We will need to be able to pay for this when the time comes and currently we will fall short by a considerable sum.

So, how will we go about raising this money? I hear you ask.

Well, we will shortly be commencing a new monthly donation scheme by standing order directly to the Fenchurch Fund's account, or via the Bluebell Railway Trust if gift aid is appropriate.

If you are interested in helping us in this way, please send us an E mail (thefenchurchfund@gmail.com) and we will let you have the correct form as soon as the final loose end have been tied up, hopefully we will be launching the scheme in time for the BRPS AGM next month.

You can also donate via the link to the BT MyDonate page as shown below.

We need to especially those who have made donations large and small recently, it really does make a difference.

Thanks for your continued support and interest in the project, we are now seeing some really tangible progress on the restoration thanks to you, our supporters.

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.

Dates for your Diary

Just a quick note to give you some dates for your diary.  There should be an update shortly, and certainly after the next "official" working day at the weekend. 


The Project team headed by Matt Holloway and Ben Dingley are holding monthly working days throughout the year, the next being next Saturday (14th April).  the working days are held at Sheffield Park and are centred on the Villa workshop just by the main works.  The dates for the rest of the year are:
April 14th, May 5th, June 16th, July 28th, August 18th, September 8th October 20th, November 10th and December 9th.
If you would like to join the group, Please email us first on thefenchurchfund@gmail.com so that we can let Matt and Ben know and make sure they know you are coming and have the right job for you.


We are also running a few sales stands this year and these are expected to be as follows:

19th & 20th May	Branch Line Weekend	Sheffield Park Platform 1
19th May	BRPS AGM (members only)	The Burgess Hill Academy
23rd & 24th June	Model Railway Weekend	Sheffield Park Birch Grove Suite
11th & 12th August	Steaming through the ages	Sheffield Park Platform 1
1st September	Burgess Hill Model Railway Show	Burgess Hill School for Girls	www.burgesshillmrc.org.uk/exhibitions
22nd & 23rd September	Worthing Model Railway Show	Durrington High School	www.worthingmrc.co.uk/mrc/
13th & 14th October	Autumn Steam Gala	Sheffield Park Platform 1
3rd & 4th November	West Sussex N Gauge Group Model Railway Show	Angmering School	www.wsng.co.uk/

It is possible that there will be a few more dates, but this is a good idea of what we are doing.  For further information on the external model railway exhibitions please click on the links.


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.

 

To contact us please E Mail us on thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

Thanks for you interest
Clive D. Emsley
Chairman

A few pictures from this week

A flying visit was made to Sheffield Park yesterday (27th march) during which photos were taken of the work carried out over the last few weeks.

The fantastic finish that is being applied to the wheelsets (all pictures Clive Emsley)

The finish on the wheelset that has been painted over the winter is something incredible, an probably better than original!  All of the dimples that were in the wheels have been filled and rubbed down giving a first class base on which the gloss has been applied to.  A splendid finish and a credit to Matt for the initial work and Jim for the paint finish. A credit for both of them.

An overall impression of the wheelset.

Below are a few pictures of the heavily corroded back end of the frames being removed.  This shows just how corroded it really was. Matt, Ben and the team have been buy with the gas axe!

 

The rear buffer beam having been removed from the frames

 

The drag box beam removed fro the frames

  

The frames at the rear showing the corrosion

 

the rear stretcher removed for more restoration work





Both buffer beams and strengthening plate now machined in the Villa

 

A close up of the holes

 

one of the plates that are to be positioned behind the buffers

We are looking forward to being on the platform at Sheffield Park during the Branch Line weekend, where we will be able to answer questions and sell you marmalade and other delightful items. Also on display will be a collection of the new Hatton's P Class models (which may

still be available from the Bluebell Shop)

 

We are also confirmed to be at the Model Railway Weekend, so hopefully we will be able to see you at one of the events.

 

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.

 

To contact us please E Mail us on thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

 

 

February and March Update

Firstly an apology for the long gap since the last report. Unfortunately I have been in hospital and then on daily visits to the surgery due to a foot infection which has resulted in me loosing a toe. Unfortunately this has resulted in us not attending our first model railway exhibition of the year and also we will be missing the Diesel Gala this weekend.

 

So on with the report!

 

On the 2nd March the cylinders were taken for machining by Matt and Ben.  The work is being carried out by Statfold Engineering (statfoldengineeringltd.co.uk).  The following pictures show the cylinders ready to depart Sheffield Park and some of the machines available at the factory.

 

The cylinders loaded and ready for departure from Sheffield Park (Matt Holloway)

 

A close up of the cylinders on the Bluebell Railway's truck

 

Just time for a PN then off!



The horizontal boring machine that will be used for much of the work at Statfold Engineering



Matt and Ben took the opportunity to drop off the cylinders at Statfold Engineering for machining on and also to have a catch-up and nose around! Their workshop is amazing, as is the narrow gauge railway there! It is hoped that we will return to collect the cylinders in June.  We will also be collecting a heap of fitted bolts for the cylinders and frame reconstruction.

 

On the home front we've been busy marking up and drilling the various plate work which can be machined in the villa's.  The parts being machined will hopefully help us to meet our aim of frame erection commencing in the summer.

Buffer Beams and Drag Box plates being drilled

Buffer beams before and after machining

The valance end pieces have also been drilled ready

Three of the valance end pieces in red oxide

 



There has been plenty of painting carried out by Matt and Jim.  This includes the wheels as well as many other items. the photos following show a flavour of what is involved.

 

Jim Turtle painting the leading wheel set (Martin Lawrence)



The wheels in top coat

The driving and trailing wheelsets waiting their turn for painting (David Morris)

Vacuum brake cylinder and cover in red oxide (Matt Holloway)

Vacuum brake piston in final grey 

The underside of the brake cylinder lid.

 

We have plans for the next year or so and a basic outline of our activities are shown below.  This programme can only succeeded with the support of many people, both in financial and practical. 

 

During 2018 we aim, with your assistance, to carry out the following tasks:

• Mark out and drill the replacement frames and associated plate work;
• Machine the horn openings in the frames;
• Build up the rear dragbox;
• Dismantle the Original Frames;
• After June, erect the new frames and install the cylinder block; 
• Continue with painting the wheels and new frames
• Towards the end of the year, re-metal and machine the axle boxes.

Then within the first 6 to 9 months of 2019 the plan becomes a little more flexible but the aim is to:

• Drill and fit running plates, side valances, and associated items;
• Fit the horns and setup so that they are ready to accept the axleboxes;
• Return the frames to the wheel sets to make a rolling chassis;
• explore costs and practicalities of having SECR bottle buffers manufactured;
• start the process of installing the pipe work, for example the Vacuum brake pipes / Steam heat and other pipes that need to be installed between the frames
• Then work can start on the motion work and springing of the loco. 

 

Of course the programme is money and staff dependent so any support will be welcome.  The work outlined above is likely to cost somewhere in the region of £15,000 and the programme will slip if we cannot afford to pay for the work.

 

The monthly "Official" working days will continue throughout the year with the next few dates being: March 24th and April 14th. If you are interested in helping with the physical work, or publicity and sales, please e mail us at the address below.

 

Thank you

Clive

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.

 

To contact us please E Mail us on thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

 

Thank you for your continued support and interest, it is much appreciated. With your help we should have a rolling chassis by the end of the near and hopefully a working loco in around 4 years.

Scenes from the January Working day

The restoration team had their first working day of 2018 on Saturday 21st January when the angles were riveted to the rear drag box plate.  The following pictures were taken during the process.  It must be stressed that the work could only take place with the co-operation of the works manager and his staff in providing access to the space and equipment.  This is much appreciated.



Ben and Cameron checking the gas lance at the start of the heating process

 

The process starting by heating the rivets



Georgie making sure the rivets are heated to the right temperature



The air powered riveting machine being used to make sure the results are consistent

Rueben and Matt setting up ready for the next rivet

All the angles riveted up and ready for the final machining of the side angles

The angles at the side of the plate will now need to be machined to form a tight joint between the angle and the plate.  This will be carried out in the loco works again with the co-operation of the team in the workshop.

Painting is continuing on the wheel sets and hopefully these will be turned out in Maunsell Green before too much longer.

 

The monthly "Official" working days will continue throughout the year with the next few dates being: February 10th, March 24th and April 14th. If you ar3e interested in helping with the physical work, or publicity and sales, please e mail us at the address below.

 

Thank you

Clive

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.

 

To contact us please E Mail us on thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

 

Thank you for your continued support and interest, it is much appreciated. With your help we should have a rolling chassis by the end of the near and hopefully a working loco in around 4 years.