Engineering updates

 Work on The Unknown Warrior has continued over the period since the last report.

5551 Chassis. West Shed, April 2023. Photo by Colin Hall

Work on The Unknown Warrior has continued over the period since the last report. It is very pleasing to be able to report physical progress towards the re-assembly of the chassis.

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.

Work on The Unknown Warrior has continued at a limited pace since the last report.

Work on The Unknown Warrior has continued at a limited pace since the last report due to the effects of the current worldwide situation.

5551 in the workshop at the West Shed. Photo by PRCLT

Work on The Unknown Warrior has continued at various locations since the last report.

Work on The Unknown Warrior has continued at various location since the last report.

Work on The Unknown Warrior since the last report has concentrated on establishing the true condition of vital components and assemblies.

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on the construction of The Unknown Warrior at number of locations.

The Unknown Warrior at Llangollen. Photo – Kevin West

Following the report in the last Warrior we have seen work re-started at Llangollen Railway Engineering, but not at the speed we had hoped. At least progress is being made.

We continue to work with Llangollen Engineering to establish a work schedule for the completion of the locomotive chassis.

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on the construction of The Unknown Warrior at number of locations.

I have said before that building a full size steam locomotive is not an easy task. The past 3 months have been one of increasing frustration due to delays in supply of parts from suppliers or poor quality work which has led to the rejection of a number of components that were not of sufficient quality to be used on The Unknown Warrior. This will have an effect on the assembly of the locomotive as the parts are long lead time replacements.

Just a quick end of year report majoring on progress on the Boiler at Heritage Boiler Steam Services.

Work continues on the construction of The Unknown Warrior at number of locations.