Engineering notes

By Tony Massau

The gradient pins or coupling rod joint pins, whatever you wish to call them, are complete. The main job now awaiting completion with regard to the coupling rods is the white metaling and final machining of the various bushes which will lead towards pressing them into the rods not forgetting the making of the keys. The machine shop is also busy with the machining of various pins for the valve gear components.

The alignment and setting up of the slide bars has been done with temporary shims to enable the dimensions to be obtained for machining the crossheads. Permanent shims can now be made for the slide bars and the proper bolts then fitted.

South Devon Railway have made the expansion links and we look forward to their arrival at Bridgnorth.

The fitting of the firebox backhead cladding in the cab proceeds well with various holes cut for washout plug purposes, gauge mounting and other controls. The local panel beater now has the order to produce the cladding sheet for the firebox throatplate and also the dome cover. An intense purge on cladding will have to wait until the water tanks are removed again for access and most of the crinoline bands have yet to be fitted. It is one of those situations where we need the tanks on the loco for making all the pipe runs but need them off for making cladding sheets.

AGM Notice

The 82045 AGM will be held on Saturday June 6, 2026 at 12.30pm in the meeting room at Kidderminster Railway Museum. Light refreshments will be supplied. Members information will be distributed shortly with the member's Spring Newsletter.