A Set of Cylinders Ordered

Well, a 1/10th scale set!

A set of cylinders has been ordered for demonstration and discussion these are to be 3D printed and will be available for inspection at various gala events around the railway this year.  It is hoped that they will be available for demonstration at the BRPS AGM, but this cannot be guaranteed at the moment, it is dependent on production and delivery from Belgium.  They will definitely be available for inspection at the Model Railway Weekend (25th and 26th June) so do pop along to have a look at the complexity of the pattern.

Restoration Update

Stuart and Jim are progressing with the preparation of the RHS frame crack repair weld and hopefully the replacement patch will be welded in soon. Indeed the last message I had from Matt was that they were hoping to get the welding done last weekend.  Hopefully this was the case.


Matt is currently working on the balance weights with the aim of removing them from the front of the loco frames.  It requires 14 rivets and studs to be pilot drilled before being gas cut.  The pilot holes go through the studs/rivets so that the molten metal goes through the hole, rather than blowing back into Matts face or the gas torch nozzle!  With the weights removed, plates and angles can be assessed for any damage and any remedial work can be carried out.  It is believed that there will be nothing more than a little welding and re-drilling to sort this out.

A 3D CAD  model is currently being produced of the rear portion of the frames.  Once the weld repairs have been carried out to the left and right side frames, and the drawings have been completed, a new section of steel plate will be cut ready for welding in to replace the cut out section of the frames that are beyond repair.  Currently it is believed that the drawings are about 60% complete.


I am just waiting for a report regarding the Steam Reverser, but I am lead to believe that there is some great progress on this front.  Ben Dingley will be providing some words and pictures shortly.


The CAD model of the cylinders is now with Kevin West for final approval which means that we ought to be able to report some good, but expensive, news shortly!


As mentioned in previous posts out main priority is to have a set of cylinders cast (full size) and to raise the funds to allow this to happen.  We will be having a sales and Information stand at Southern at War Weekend where we aim to have a push on the fund raising for the locomotive and cylinder replacement programme in particular.  Please pop along to see us if you are about, we will be on the platform at Sheffield Park.


Thanks for reading this far, your interest is much appreciated


Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund
Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

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