Update 12th October 2016

BUFFERS!

it is the aim of Project 27 to return the loco to it's Southern condition as A27 in lined Maunsell Green.  As part of this we are aiming on replacing the existing SR buffers which were put on the loco as it passed through Ashford Works in 1960.  The new ones will be a set of SECR "bottle" buffers as seen on H Class 263 and in the picture below.  Unfortunately we do not have enough spare buffers of the right style to use, so we will have to have at least one new set made.

27 in the Maunsell era with the SECR Bottle buffers (photo from the internet)

Matt has been busy surveying one of the spare buffers and producing a set of drawings and rendered 3d CAD models.  These are truly stunning!

One of the spare SECR buffers stripped for measuring and surveying (Photo Clive Emsley)

The spare buffer was stripped to its component parts and accurate measurements taken of each components. As can be seen in the photograph there is over 100 years of wear on the components especially the buffer shank.  

With these measurements and other research a design drawing was produced of the buffer components and these were added to a general arrangement drawing.  Matt then worked his usual magic on these drawings and has produced some stunning 3d CAD models of the buffer.  They almost look like photographs of a real buffer!

Rendered 3d models of the buffer components (Image by Matthew Holloway)

When the CAD image is compared with the photograph of the original buffer it is possible to see the amount of wear the shank has suffered over the last 100 years or so.

A cutaway of the assembled buffer showing how the parts fit together (Image by Matthew Holloway)

The cutaway model proves that the parts fit and in which order.  This is most invaluable when planning the assembly (if we get that far!) 

3d model of the assembled parts fully rendered. (Image by Matthew Holloway)

The final image shows the fully rendered 3d CAD model of the assembled buffer. A fantastic effort by Matt to produce such a professional result!  A true taste of things to come.

In my opinion, it would be good to see these buffers on all three P class locos on the Bluebell (and  on 753 on the KESR!).

Whilst we expect to recreate these buffers it is a little way down the list at present, the current main priority for parts manufacture is the set of cylinders.  This is expected to cost in the region of £15,000 for a "ready to fit" set.  this is made up of having the rough castings produced and the machining to size within tolerances.  We still need to raise the majority of this amount to be able to go ahead and order the castings.  If you are able to help with the cost please feel free to donate to Project 27 for more details of how to help please go to the Project 27 page on the Bluebell Railway website or E Mail the fund at then address below.

Thank you for reading this far and for taking interest in the project.

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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