Getting the Chassis Rolling

Since the Open Day on 11^th April, the process of gathering and machining all the various parts need to create the three Coupled Wheelsets has continued. Those that follow us, know that we already have all six coupled wheels, cannonboxes and plain axles (or the intermediate and rear wheelsets) and the crank axle sweep webs all fully machined. The remaining items, the crank axle inner pin and two stub axles, coupled axleboxes, crank pins and the balance weight containers are all in the process of being finish machined. All internal rings and seals are already machined and ready. Many smaller components, mostly available of the shelf, are also being ordered.

The plain axles, which arrived only days before the Open day, have now been unpacked, checked and the ends protected with Denso tape, ready for boxing into shipping crates. The Sweep Webs (see picture) and Cannonboxes are already crated.

A meeting with South Devon Engineering was held in June and the plans are coming together for the wheelsets to be assembled – it should be noted that the Timken Roller Bearings and Tyres are already there.

Work continues in the meantime to prepare the chassis for the wheelsets. The frames were recently radiused (a rounding of the sharp edge to reduce the chance of the frames cracking. Additionally, the Trunnion Guides plates for the leading (crank) axle have been ordered.

Smokebox: Three access plates and two doubling plates (strengthening plates for the cylinder under the chimney) have been delivered from Barnshaws, who rolled the smokebox cylinder.

Cab: Displayed at the Open Day for the first time, it has now been returned to Elvar Engineering where work continues on the entire assembly, inc. windows, doors, steps and internal fittings. When it is completed, it will be fitted to the rear of the chassis at Diamond Engineering.

Design work: Continues on the Cylinders, soon to be fabricated and the motion.