Update

Work and other commitments have meant that progress has been slow of late. However, the first set of frames were erected a little while ago, and the rear pony has been assembled. Work has started on the brake gear. Once this is done, she will get pushed back in the workshop and the second set will be erected.

Boring job . . .

The foundry cast my cylinders (etc.) for me, they are a great job, and delivered to the door!! It's an amazing feeling to have them delivered having made the patterns myself. I have now published the cylinder drawing on the website. It's a very simple, 2.75" bore cylinder, the additional size (up from the original's 2.5") is easily handled by the locomotive boiler. I have now faced off and bored all 4 of my blocks, hopefully I will get some of the ports milled out later this week.

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.