Engineering notes

By Tony Massau

82045 has only recently returned from Alstom's Derby works so our team are just starting to resume activities and think 'where were we'. One job being picked up again is the pipework on the loco for the steam heat for carriage warming. 

Work has been in progress with preparations for a hydraulic test on the superheater header and likewise the main steam manifold. 

The first of the two crossheads is on the jig borer for machining of the tapered slot for the key which secures the piston rod to the crosshead. An order has been placed with South Devon Railway Engineering for the manufacture of the expansion links and die blocks. Forging of the eccentric rods and the reversing rod is expected soon in Manchester by Heritage Rail Traction Ltd.