Engineering notes

Machining of the cab window frames has continued.

The footplating at the sides of the smokebox has been temporarily refitted to aid the positioning of the atomisers and mechanical lubricators together with the associated pipework.

Firebox stay hole drilling continues and one side of the outer firebox has had the horizontal joint welded up by the contract coded welder.

The lifting arms on the ends of the reversing shaft have been fitted. These are an interference fit with a key incorporated and the process involved lowering the ends of the shaft into a drum of liquid nitrogen to lower the temperature whilst the boss of the arms were heated to increase the size of the bore. The frozen ends of the shaft were then quickly lowered into the hot bore of the boss of the arms and the temperatures allowed time to normalise. Some calculations had been done in the days beforehand and in heating the boss of the arms the temperature was checked with a heat gun and the bore with pre-set calipers until it was declared satisfactory to lower the frozen end of the shaft into the arm. The operation was filmed and will no doubt appear in due course.

Chairman’s Chat – July 2022

This month we have the first edition of the new 'Chairman’s Chat' which will be a regular insight into what is going on in the 'Non-Engineering' side of the 82045 world.

Warley Model Railway Exhibition

The 'Chairman’s Chat' also includes news of the star attraction at this year's Warley Model Railway exhibition, a certain 82045!