Engineering notes

By Tony Massau

The right-hand side water tank has now been refitted to the loco. This had been deliberately left off for 82045's visit to The Greatest Gathering at Derby in order that visitors could see the brand new boiler sitting in place on the loco, demonstrating that traditional boilermaking skills are still possible in the UK. Now that both tanks and the boiler are in place the loco has are more complete look about it for the time being. It is now possible to temporarily attach the various components in the cab and on the boiler in order to make the various pipe runs connecting everything up with a view towards having a kit of parts ready for quick assembly once the boiler has passed a steam test and gained a certificate. However, the tanks will have to come off again in due course for access to the boiler to make and trial fit all the cladding, again with a view to having a full kit ready for final assembly following the steam test.

The machine shop has been busy with activity on the gradient pins for the coupling rods, piston rods, to be followed by piston head rings and pins and oil caps for the motion rods.

News from Manchester is that the eccentric rods have been forged.

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