Summer Update 2025

As mentioned in the last update, after being allowed to season in the workshop for almost a year, the cylinders were moved to John Dunn Engineering for machining to be carried out. Firstly, the castings needed to be set up on the borer table for them to be marked out, this can be seen in the accompanying illustrations. It has also been necessary to make suitable tooling and stops to make the machining operation easier. Also, because of the unusual shape of the castings, various stops and clamps have been needed to hold them firmly in position, so that they do not move during the machining process. One of the illustrations shows the long boring bar that was made to make the machining of the cylinder bore easier and quicker to achieve.

GOWRIE’s left cylinder being set up ready for marking out

Marking out underway

New boring bar being machined which will enable quicker and more accurate machining of the cylinder bores

With the marking out completed and the necessary tooling made, the first cylinder could be set up on the borer table for a start to be made on the machining. The right hand cylinder was the first one to be set up and as can be seen in the following series of images, the first part of the machining was the cylinder to frame bolting face. Once this face has been machined the casting can be re-positioned to allow the same work to be carried out on the front face. It is intended to illustrate further machining in the next issue. Following on from the images dealing with the cylinders, there are two which show John Padget, first of all giving a second coat of primer to the right hand side tank, then, after that had been rubbed down, the first undercoat of the finished colour was applied.

 The first cut being taken on the frame bolting face of the right hand cylinder

Another view of the machining of the same face

The machining of the face is now finished and the next operation will be the drilling of the fixing holes

After being rubbed down a second coat of primer is being applied to the right hand side tank

 The first layer of undercoat is applied

During recent weeks various moves have been taking place of items to and from the workshop. This allowed us to take advantage of the available transport to move our power bogie frames to Gilspel Engineering. Since they already have various stretchers and other items belonging to this assembly it will now be possible for them to carry out the necessary machining in order to fit the hornguides, followed by riveting the frame assembly together.

 Power bogie frames ready for collection

 Power bogie frames being lifted for loading onto the lorry for transporting to Gilspel Engineering

 We now move on to a little job being carried out by Brian. On each buffer beam there are two anchors which attach the safety links to the beams. Originally, it could be assumed that these would be machined from forgings but since we opted not to attempt to pursue this idea, the alternative has been to machine them from solid. As can be seen this has involved the removal of a considerable amount of material and there is still much more to be removed before these parts are finished.

 Generating the ball end on the safety chain anchors

Setting up to machine the locating square which goes through the buffer beam

 Machining the second face of the square

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