Engineering Notes

By Tony Massau

Work is in progress in preparing to fit the regulator stuffing box to the boiler barrel. There is quite a lot of work in ensuring that a tight metal-to-metal joint is achieved with items such as the regulator stuffing box, dome and top feed clack pads to ensure that steam and hot water cannot find its way into the space between rivets.

Whilst the firebox is upside down the overhead crane lifted the ashpan onto the foundation ring to check that it fits correctly.

The coupling rods have been forged and heat treated at Somers Forge and it is intended that they will be sub contracted to The Boro' Foundry for machining. The manufacture of the return crank rods/excentric rods will be carried out by Heritage Rail Traction Ltd. and also the manufacture of the reversing rod. An enquiry is underway elsewhere for the manufacture of the expansion links.

Machining of the cab window frames continues as does the machining of the components that make up the carriage warming reducing valve. The top guides for the sliding side windows of the cab have been cast and machined.

The firebox doors and linkage to the handle have been trial assembled onto the runners/mounting framework. The handle for the cylinder drain cock actuating valve has been made.

More pipe support brackets have been made.

AGM Notice

The 82045 AGM will be held on Saturday the 25th May at 1.00pm in the meeting room at Kidderminster Railway Museum. Light refreshments will be supplied. Members information will be distributed shortly with the Spring Newsletter.