| Oct | Nov | Dec |
Coupling Rods
Work continued on the making of the 8 coupling rod nuts. The main task was boring the large 3+ inch holes out of the centre. The blanks will now have the inside thread cut on them. They will then be fitted onto the engine and then stamped and the cross pin marked. Each one is different and has to be made as a special. Once the the taper pin hole has been established, the nuts will then have a finish cut on them and the flats milled out. Finally the recess in the back for the Belleville washer will be cut. The coupling rods will then be put on and the bearings refurbished. It is hoped to tackle this job as joint venture with the 8F Group, so we can get experience of pouring white metal.
The Siphon
The roofing felt has been stripped off the Siphon roof. With any luck the siphon will now have a new roof layer on which has been achieved with the help of a friend of 2807.
Safety Chain Brackets
The fabrication of the two new safety chain brackets has been completed.
Backhead Studs
Work continued on picking threads from the backhead studs. It seems that almost all the studs are locked tight, despite several attempts to move them with a variety of stud extractors.
The Siphon
Work continued on the new guttering for the siphon.
The Tender
Work on the final inside back plate in the tender was completed.
Work also continued on the shaping and fettling of the new back tender corner panels.
The tender springs were tensioned.
The Tender
The inner skin of the Tender is complete. Plates will be welded into the angles where sides meet floor to provide additional strength and to guard against leaks at this join.
The last of the curved rim pieces for the top of the tender sides are being made.
Work has started on the coal scuttle and water tank.
The Engine
Recent activities have concentrated on getting everything ready for the trip to the bay platform. This has included plenty of inspecting and oiling the motion. The leaking pony truck underkeep has been solved with the fabircation and fitting of a new bottom plate.
The Siphon
The lathe has now been installed in the end of the Siphon and is being used to make the nuts for holding the motion on. Working out how to drill the pin-holes to align with the holes already drilled is proving to be a challenge.
The (still leaking) rook of the siphon was the subject of more ongoing repairs. It is a bit of a race between the completion of repairs and the next fine English summer to see which will keep the volunteers dry!
Painting
Anything that doesn't move (and some things that do!).