Engineering update
It's been a little while since our last engineering update,
but despite the weather we have been moving forwards on many fronts!
Our main thrust has focused on setting up the frames and ensuring their square-ness in anticipation of
riveting! Also whilst the winter weather has been against us we have been busy making
a start on re-furbishing various parts of the motion. Cleaning, inspecting &
re-machining where necessary. Off site the cylinder block is progressing well
and should be ready for collection within the next month or two!
After a successful 2018, keeping to our predicted time line,
and with the initial erection of the main frames we hope to achieve even more in the
forthcoming year!
The plan for 2019 has been formulated and we hope to carry out the following before the end of the year.
We will be continuing to set up and square off the frames which will allow us to ream the holes and rivet the frames together into one chassis unit. Once this has been done we will be able to set up and fit the new cylinders between the frames and secure them with fitted bolts.
The next task will then to finish the machining of the horn guides and fit them to the loco chassis. this will allow us to look forward to being able to have a rolling chassis .
The rear drag box will also need to be assembled and riveted in place. This will give the rear end of the chassis good stability.
Whilst this is going on we will also continue with the painting of the remaining wheel sets and a start made on painting the new chassis.
Another process necessary before the production of a rolling chassis is the re-metalling of the axle boxes. This will be carried out in the main works using our own labour. They will also need to be machined round following the addition of the new white metal.
There are also items to be manufactured such as new valves, horn wedges, slide bars and leading horn liners. These will be water cut or cast and all will need machining.
We will also be drilling and fitting the new running plates and side valances, all of which will lead to our aspiration of a rolling chassis.
Our 18 month "look ahead" includes working towards re-wheeling, the manufacture of side tanks using as much of the originals as sensible and the manufacture of a new bunker most of which has succumbed to the ravages of the weather. We will start to look into the reproduction or overhaul of a set of SECR pattern buffers for the loco which will return it to a more original appearance. A start will be made on the miles of pipework that is needed for the loco, our start will be on the vacuum and steam heat pipes.
The engineering team will also start work on refurbishing the motion and repairing any parts that need work. A set of springs will also be required to complete the chassis.
Cleaning up, machining and painting
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| One of the Valve spindles being cleaned up on the outside bench. |
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| Removing studs from one of the horn guides |
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| One of the final holes being drilled in the frames using the mag drill |
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| The slide bars ready for inspection |
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| One of the cylinder covers in the parts cleaner with the works managers permission |
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| The frames during the setting up period |
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| The first part of the rear drag box in place |
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| Both buffer beams being bolted together with the wheel sets in the background |
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| Horn guides and keeper plates following initial cleaning and painting |
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| Slide bars and valve spindles cleaned and protected |
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| Valve and cylinder covers awaiting a first coat of Bonder Primer |
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| Trial fitting the covers on the old cylinder block to confirm orientation |
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| Milling a relief into one of the angles |
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| Preparing to remove the piston from the piston rod by removing the securing nut |
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| The securing nut removed but piston rings still located within their slots |
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| the piston and rod assembly being set up on the hydraulic press |
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| Setting up one of the valve spindles for skimming |
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| Getting ready to skim the valve spindle |
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| One of the horn guides setup on the shaping machine ready for a skim |
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| The machine in action |
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| Checking the diagonals using a trammel |
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| Close up of one of the trammel marks |
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| The lubricator cup from the top of the steam reverser nicely cleaned |
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| The middle driver centre line marked on the LH frame |
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| The laser alignment measuring device being used for setting the axle box centres opposite |
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| The class designation plate cleaned and painted and ready to go back on the frames! |
Machining the Eccentrics
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| The jig for turning the eccentrics being manufactured |
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| The jig being turned down to size |
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| The jig cap being turned down to size |
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| More machining on the vertical boring machine |
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| The Jig cap on the vertical boring machine |
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| Cutting the keyway to locate the eccentric |
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| The first eccentric being set up and checked for round |
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| The eccentric having been made concentric! |
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| The eccentric having been machined waiting for some protective grease. |
Machining the Cylinders
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| The RH cylinder block on the machine at Statfold Barn |
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| Looking through the bore of the RH cylinder |
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| The other end of the RH block |
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| Looking at the faces and bore |
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| Showing the bore and machined faces |
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| The valve ports having been machined |
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| The LH cylinder casting having been removed from the machine |
Thank you for reading this far, please continue reading as it may help our work.
The work will be reliant on available funding, the more we can raise the more work we can do.
I am sure you would like to see the loco working as much as we do, and to help us to reach the stage of a working locomotive, we need all the help we can get! Please donate as much as you can afford, no matter how small, it all makes a difference. Or if you have items that you would like to donate for our sales stands or items suitable for auction (model railways or railwayana, we would be pleased to receive them.
To donate on line, please go to our BT MyDonate page:
or use the QR code below.
PLEASE NOTE
The BT My Donate page will be removed by BT on the 30th June. However, we will have another donations page up and running by that time!
If you would like to make a regular donation, please ask for a Standing Order form by email to the address below, please also use this address for enquiries and offers of physical help.
thefenchurchfund@gmail.com
The Project is entirely self funded and relies on your donations and sales stand purchases
for the work to continue
Thank you for your continued support of the Fenchurch Fund and The Small Loco Group (Known together as PROJECT 27) It is much appreciated.
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