As the regulations surrounding Covid have relaxed work on The Unknown Warrior has started to return to a more normal pace. Staffing levels at the PRCLT workshops have returned to pre-Covid levels, allowing more work to be undertaken. Added to this the overhaul of 6233 Duchess of Sutherland has been completed and the locomotive has returned to service hauling trains on the national network, both on its planned commitments and standing in successfully for another locomotive.
Seven driving wheels have now been cast at William Cooks. (The order includes two for Royal Scot). Casting the last wheel in the order has been delayed to next week to allow us to witness and record the process. Proof machining and testing of the wheels is planned for July.
Planning for the tyre and axle supply and wheelset assembly is complete.
Our preparation for the testing of chassis components (in the absence of original documentation) is being completed this week. We have been able to arrange for a competent volunteer to carry out hardness testing at West Shed before MPI testing is carried out at Boro Foundry.