Summer Update 2026

Trailing Bogie

In view of the intention to take the trailing bogie as our main exhibit to the Hengist

Open Day in April, in order to make it look presentable, several weeks were set

aside to apply a number of coats of paint to give it a more pleasing appearance. As

it was taken to the open day, it had been given undercoat inside the frames and one

coat of top coat on the outside. Since it took several days to allow the paint to dry,

it was not possible to assemble the bogie until the morning of the appointed day on

which it was to be transported to Diamond Group Services. This being the Tuesday

of the week leading up to the event on the Saturday.

After the one day event, the bogie was returned to the workshop on the following

Tuesday. It has now been put aside until work can be carried out to finish the

painting, which will entail the removal of the wheels and axleboxes, so that the

inside of the frames can be given the finishing topcoat. There is still a considerable

amount of painting to be carried out on the outside faces, including black edging

and straw lining out in the appropriate places. Also, in order to complete the bogie,

the lubrication will need addressing. This will include the finishing of the sprung

axlebox underkeep pads and the making of the worsted trimmings, which will

provide the lubrication to the top bearing surfaces.

Trailing Bogie components ready for assembling

A further view of some of the trailing bogie parts

Bogie frame being lowered onto one of the axleboxes

Frames now lowered onto all axleboxes

The assembled bogie loaded ready for transport to Hengist Open Day

Brian has been busy in the bottom shop carrying out several machining jobs.

Below he is seen on the horizontal borer, correcting the position of the mounting

holes which were put in the wrong place on the middle tank support brackets when

these were manufactured. His attention then turned to machining some gun metal steam valve castings that we received from the foundry almost eighteen months ago. These are 90 degree

valves which are extremely difficult to obtain off the shelf in a type able to

withstand continual use. The design of this valve is based on the one used to

control the blower on the original Gowrie locomotive. Patterns had been made and castings

produced, for a locomotive which had been restored previously by our team. This

style of valve will, as well as controlling the steam to the blower, also be used in

conjunction with the new manifold casting inside the cab, to supply steam to the

steambrake and vacuum ejector shut off. The following images illustrate the

various machined items described above.

Brian machining a tank support bracket

Machined valve components

Closeup of one the above

Three union nuts

One of the valve bodies with the spindle housing screwed in

Steamchest Covers

John Dunn Engineering have been busy machining the castings for the steamchest

covers. The first images show the castings in the process of being marked out,

followed by one being set up on the milling machine for the first operation, the

commencement of machining the mating face that sits down on the appropriate

surface on the cylinder casting. All the following images that cover the machining of these castings have been kindly provided by John Dunn Engineering.

Steamchest cover being marked out for machining

A further view of the setup for marking out

The first cuts of machining the joint face

A view from a different angle of the initial machining

The next sequence starts with two photographs showing the continuation of the

machining of the bottom face. This is followed by the casting turned over with the

holes for the fixing studs being drilled, together with the spot face machining to

bed the nuts.

The final photograph in this group illustrates both fully machined and cleaned up

steamchest covers which are now ready to be bolted onto the main cylinder

castings, once the necessary machining on these has been completed.

The last page in this section illustrates drawings of various brackets which are

needed for riveting to the power bogie frames. The order for these items has

already been placed, as they are needed to progress the work in this area. For

anyone interested in sponsoring these parts, please refer to the sponsorship page.

The final cut underway

The finish machined joint face

Stud holes being drilled

Continuation of stud hole drilling plus spot facing for bedding down nuts

Hole drilling and spot facing completed

Both covers finished and cleaned up

Boiler

As previous reported, we shared that we were finally ready to place the order for the construction of our boiler. We’re pleased to confirm that this was completed at the Hengist Open Day in April.

The order has been placed, as planned, with Diamond Group Services (formerly CTL Seal Ltd). Before construction can begin, some detailed drawings still need to be finalised and any required changes must be approved. This process may take several months, depending on how long approvals take.

The completed boiler will not be needed for around 18 months. Since the estimated construction time is between 20 and 26 weeks, we are in a good position, with sufficient time to complete all necessary paperwork before work begins.

However, this also means we must once again ask for funding to cover the cost of this work.

We sincerely apologise for needing to ask again, but this project would not be possible without your valued contributions.

Thank you for your continued support.

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