An update from the Engineering Team

All notes and pictures supplied by Matt Holloway

A brief update to a cold and foggy start to 2017!

Behind the scenes the final touches to the CAD models and Manufacturing Drawings for the Cylinder blocks have been finished and await final approval by Premier Patterns who will be manufacturing the new block. Following a trip up to see Premier Patterns, and ironing out any nagging issues, we should hopefully be at the point for seeing a set of freshly cast blocks appearing in the yard at Sheffield Park some time this year!

On the frame front....

 Following some test welding on the RHS plate, which resulted in localised cracking, and another survey being taken on the state of the frames as a whole it has come quiet apparent how corroded the rear section of the LHS plate really is as well as the hap-hazard material Spec of the original plates (Remembering that in 1910 steel quality standards and composition did not exist as we know today!) Thus resulting in issues with trying to weld new steel to the unknown original steel frames!

Also to create an effective repair at least a 1/3rd of the rear of the LHS would need to be replaced as well as a section of the RHS plate of about 3ft!

With this in mind and the cracking of the test welds quotes are being sourced for the cost of a set of new frames plates.

Once we have an estimated cost for a new set of frames a comparison of the cost and future reliability of repairing the old frames, using more specialised welding Rods and material analysis of the original frames, against manufacturing a new set will be made.

Progress on the small part restoration....

Two new coupling storage hooks and one of the old ones used as a pattern

The two new hooks following painting



Spring hangers awaiting restoration

Spring hangers disassembled and painted in "BondaPrimer"

Spring hangers reassembled

The Steam Reverser Hydraulic Lock Valve Cover following priming

This is a small selection of the work we are currently carrying out with the assistance of your support and donations.  For this and more extensive work to carry on we need your continuing support.  Our thanks go to the engineering team for continuing the work in sometimes plainly awful conditions, to those of you who support their efforts and to everyone who has helped us get to where we are in whatever way they have.

Thanks for reading!

Clive D. Emsley
Chairman - The Fenchurch Fund

Project Manager - PROJECT 27
A Sub-Committee of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk

http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/

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