Winter Update 2025

In this update you will see that we are again concentrating on the ongoing machining of the cylinder castings, but we are also mentioning other parts that have been worked on recently. We start with the pattern for the handbrake column casting and the actual casting being machined. This now only requires the fixing holes drilling and the mating face where it sits up to the sidetank being formed for it to be finished. What follows is the machining of the bore for the piston rod and the inside face of the first of the rear cylinder covers, then two images, the first being the final machining, followed by one of the finished safety chain anchors. We now move on to the patterns and corebox for the Furness Lubricators, plus the castings produced from them. These lubricators, when finished, fit on the front cylinder covers to provide lubrication whilst the locomotive is coasting. The remainder of the images, which have been kindly supplied by John Dunn Engineering, are of the continuation of the work on the cylinder castings, the first sequence being the finishing of the bores, faces and associated holes being drilled and tapped.

Handbrake column pattern

Handbrake column casting being machined

Rear cylinder cover being bored for neck ring and gland

Further machining taking place on one of a safety chain anchor

Safety chain anchors finished and ready for fitting

Furness lubricator patterns and corebox

Furness lubricator castings

Left hand cylinder rear face finished with gland follower in place

Front face machined

Front face finished with stud holes for fixing cover drilled and tapped

Drain cock and oil holes drilled and tapped

We now move on to show various aspects of the machining on the right hand cylinder casting to bring it to the same stage as has been reached on the other one. Once this work is finished, the majority of the machining will have been done. In the next issue we hope to be able to show the machining of the slide valve port faces and the fixing face for the steam chest cover, plus possibly the cover itself. Once this work is completed the cylinder casting will be almost ready for attaching to the power bogie frames.

Right hand cylinder being bored

Bell mouth at the rear end of the cylinder being machined

Back end completed, in the process of being turned around to allow the front end to be machined

The front end finished, set up ready for drilling and tapping the oil and drain cock holes

and a Merry Christmas!

As we come to the end of the year, everyone at the Gowrie Locomotive Trust would like to wish our members, volunteers, and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. We look forward to sharing more progress, steam, and success with you in the year ahead.

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