Spring Update 2026

Cylinders

The machining of the cylinder castings is now at a very advanced stage. The next

part of this process will be the machining of the steamchest covers, together with

their mating face on the main cylinder castings, with all the holes drilled and

tapped as necessary to attach the covers to the main castings. This will be followed

by the machining of the valve faces and the slide valves themselves. Since the

above work has not yet started, it is obviously not possible to illustrate any of this

work, therefore, the first illustration is one that has been included going back to the

start of the cylinder project. This is a CAD drawing of the cylinder pattern with

steamchest cover in position. The drawing was produced by Greenbank Patterns

before work could be started on the manufacture of these items.

What follows are images of the continuing machining of the cylinder covers which

is taking place at our workshop. Once this process is complete, the covers will be

taken to John Dunn Engineering for the drilling of the stud holes, followed by

machining the faces for the slide bars. This will also include drilling and tapping

the holes for fixing the slide bars, plus drilling and tapping the holes for the piston

rod glands.

The finished machined inside face of a rear cylinder cover

Rear cylinder cover with the end face machined

Right hand cylinder cover with the piston rod gland in position

Trailing Bogie

Having now dealt with the completion at our workshop of the machining of the

cylinder covers, what follows are images of various parts of the trailing bogie.

There are still a variety of small pieces needing to be finished to complete this part

of the locomotive. These include the top, front and bottom plates for the axleboxes

and parts of the assembly for the sprung underkeep lubrication pads.

Also shown are the stirrups which attach the springs to the equalising beams, these

having now had the oil holes drilled in the top and have received a coat of primer.

The frames for the trailing bogie are shown prior to receiving the first coat of

primer, this will be followed by the first undercoat.

It is hoped to be able to take the trailing bogie in as complete a state as we can

achieve, to show it at the forthcoming Hengist open day at Diamond Group

Services, (formerly CTL Seal) please see below for more details. If you are able,

please come to the event and support all the projects in attendance.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The stirrups which connect the trailing bogie springs to the equalising beams now with oil holes drilled and having been given a coat of primer

Trailing bogie now moved to the bottom shop to be painted

Another view of the trailing bogie prior to painting

Three of the trailing bogie axleboxes with various plates attached

Trailing bogie with a coat of primer applied

The first of several views of machining brass rings for the trailing bogie underkeep pads

A view of one of the rings being bored out

Ring now bored to finished diameter

One of the finished rings in position for burr removal

The four finished brass rings

Two of the brass rings placed in position on the framework to which the worsted will be applied for the underkeep pads

Another view of the four brass rings with one of the pad support springs shown

The four pad frameworks bent to their correct position

One of the pad frameworks with the brass ring positioned for silver soldering

Trailing bogie being lifted in preparation for tipping over to paint the underside

Hengist Locomotive Open Day

Saturday 11th April 2026

10am -4pm

We’re excited to be attending the Hengist Locomotive Open Day again this year on 11th April 2026!

Join us to see parts of our locomotive in all their glory at Diamond Group (formerly CTL Seal), Butterthwaite Lane, Ecclesfield, Sheffield S35 9WA.

Everyone is welcome— You don't have to be a friend of Gowrie but we’re always keen to sign up new friends of Gowrie of all ages. There’s plenty to see and do, and We hope to see you there!