Castings

The first of the castings are now back from the foundry. I got one of each item cast to check machining tolerances etc. before getting them cast
!!

Crossheads and castings

I have now completed milling out the crossheads. Three weeks ago these were 30mm thick lumps of 3" square steel bar, now look at them. As you can see, I'm going for a double slidebar arrangement, rather than the single one of the original one. This saves width at the front end, which then means I don't have to use that awful bent coupling rod. I have also made a set of patterns (cylinder set, chimney cap and base, smokebox door, brake blocks), and the trial castings are due back before the end of the year. Given that these are OK I aim to get several sets cast early in the new year.

Coupling and connecting rods completed

The rods are now complete. Having had them water cut, all that was required was to tack pairs of them together, and then finish off the holes for the bearings. Then, push them in and paint them. Really couldn't be simpler. I have also attached most of the angles to the frames, so when time allows the first pair can be assembled. However, the first priority is to lay a shed base so that I have room for the second engine. The second is to get the patterns for the cylinders etc. done, so that I can get these sent off to get the castings made. So far, I have completed the chimney cap, and have done a good bit of the cylinder block, valve chest and crosshead patterns.

Axle sets nearly done !!

This photo shows the fruits of July and August's labours - 2 sets of wheels. hey're not quite done (the front sets only have one flycrank each fitted, and the cranks need pinning) but I think they're about 90% done. I have also bored all the coupling and connecting rod holes ready for the bearings.

Update

Haven't had much time to keep this updated recently, apologies for that. Anyway, since my last update, I have made the 4 slider blocks for the valve gear, complete with their cheeks and die rollers. I have made and fitted the crankpins to the flycranks. I have made the first two axles, and pressed the wheels on them. As soon as the loctite is set, I shall put the bearings on them and then press on the flycranks as well. I have also drilled the second set of buffer beams. I have purchased two lubricators, and a second set of gauge glass fittings. I also found a nice looking whistle on ebay, for the second engine. So, quite a bit done these past few weeks.

Progress to date

The photo shows the current state of the two sets of valve gear - swing links and combination levers bored out and roller bearings pressed in, holes tapped and then the whole lot painted. I have also made 18 (yes, 18) motion pins to fit the lot together. The central core is silver steel, with an M8 thread at the end. They also have a 3mm hole drilled into them, with a grease nipple screwed into the end, and a hole opened out so that lubrication can get into the bearings.

Summary of progress to date

Wheels obtained
Driving wheel bearings obtained
Rear trucks built
Handbrake stand, column and lever made
Laser/water cuttings obtained
Swings links bored out and bearings fitted
Combination levers tapped and bored, bearings fitted
Banana links finished and painted
Axles turned to length
Weigh- and brake shaft turned to length
Conn and coupling rod bearings obtained

Moved build log to a blog

In order to simplify things (and thus, hopefully keep regular progress updates coming out), I have decided to move the build log to a blogging site.