Engineering updates

Engineering up-date - May 2018 2018

Submitted by Kevin West on 10 May, 2018 - 23:48

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.

Engineering Up-date - February 2018

Submitted by Kevin West on 16 April, 2018 - 08:42

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Firstly, an apoligy from me for the delay in posting this up-date. The reports are created around the schedule for our Warrior Newsletter, for this up-date I just forgot to post it on the web-site!

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

Board Members inspect progress on the boiler at West Shed, Sat 27th January prior to a board meeting. Photo – Kevin West

Engineering up-date - December 2017

Submitted by Kevin West on 22 December, 2017 - 14:10

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.

Engineering Up-date - November 2017

Submitted by Kevin West on 14 November, 2017 - 11:16

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

The Unknown Warrior, Llangollen.  2nd October 2017. Photo – Kevin West

Work is continuing on the installation of parts onto the locomotive chassis.

Recent work has seen the final fitting of the four brackets and mountings for the Main Reverser Shaft, the two brackets for the Inside Expansion Link and the single bracket for the Intermediate Reverser Shaft.

Boiler Update

Submitted by admin on 12 November, 2017 - 19:41

The foundation ring has now been riveted to the inner firebox at LNWR Heritage at Crewe. This is the final job that LNWR has undertaken on the new Patriot Boiler before it moves to a new contractor.

Contracts were signed with our new boiler contractor on 10th November, and further details will be announced soon.

Engineering Up-date - July 2017

Submitted by Kevin West on 4 August, 2017 - 20:26

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

Following the decision by LNWR Heritage to end all sub-contract work, the workload for the engineering team has increased substantially. This has impacted in several areas, including the time that would normally have been spent compiling these engineering updates. I hope that the workload will reduce in the coming months so the frequency of the reports will become more frequent.

Boiler Manufacture - May 2017

Submitted by Kevin West on 25 May, 2017 - 08:46

Our Chairman, David Bradshaw, was informed on Tuesday 9th May, that LNWR Heritage had decided to end all sub contract work and concentrate on its own fleet.  As a result LNWR Heritage will not be continuing work on constructing the boiler for The Unknown Warrior. The Board of the LMS Patriot project is naturally very disappointed with this decision by LNWR Heritage, the impact of which is still not clear, though it is highly likely that there will be some delays in getting the boiler completed.

Engineering Update - April 2017

Submitted by Kevin West on 28 April, 2017 - 14:41

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

This report starts with the good news that Chris Collins has returned to work at Llangollen following his medical issue earlier in the year.

A different view of the Unknown Warrior inside the shed at Llangollen.  March 2017.. Photo – Kevin West

Work has continued on a number of fronts at Llangollen in the last month.

Engineering Update - January 2017

Submitted by Kevin West on 9 February, 2017 - 18:19

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

Unfortunately, I have to start this report with some very un-welcome news. Chris Collins, one of the 2 Llangollen Railway Engineering engineers that is working on The Unknown Warrior has suffered a heart attack and has subsequently spent some time in hospital. I am sure everyone will join us in wishing Chris a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at Llangollen as soon as possible.

Engineering Update - December 2016

Submitted by Kevin West on 21 December, 2016 - 17:41

Locomotive Frame Assembly

As we work towards our target to be complete for 11th November 2018, the amount of work taking place at locations across the country is rising.

Engineering Up-date - October 2016

Submitted by Kevin West on 13 October, 2016 - 21:56

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

Engineering Up-date - July 2016

Submitted by Kevin West on 20 July, 2016 - 12:55

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

Members listen to the presentation during Members Day at Llangollen Works, 25th June. Photo – Kevin West

Work is progressing at Llangollen following on from the locomotives return at the end of March.

Engineering Up-date walk round video

Submitted by Kevin West on 10 June, 2016 - 10:31

Our Chief Engineer has been playing with his new camcorder and made this walk round up-date video of the loco build.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvLwEUJOW_Q

Engineering Up-date March 2016

Submitted by Kevin West on 14 April, 2016 - 14:39

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

Following on from the fitting of the Bogie at Tyseley on 4th February, work has continued on preparations to fit the Valve and Cylinder Liners.

The Unknown Warrior now a 4-6-0

Submitted by Kevin West on 24 February, 2016 - 14:59

Following the fitting of the bogie to The Unknown Warrior at Tyseley Locomotive Works in early February 2016 we are pleased to be able to publish these photos of The Unknown Warrior.in the yard at Tyseley.

The Unknown Warrior stands in the yard at Tyseley Locomotive Works, 4th February 2016. Photos by Kevin West

Engineering Update - Jan 2016

Submitted by Kevin West on 13 February, 2016 - 10:14

Locomotive Frame Assembly

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

Engineering update - December 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 19 January, 2016 - 08:41

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on the construction of The Unknown Warrior at number of locations. The construction of a steam locomotive of any size is a complicated engineering task and the past few weeks have proved to be just that. While it may appear that not a lot is happening above the surface, in fact the 8 legged duck is paddling furiously although perhaps not all in the same direction!

Engineering Update - October 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 2 November, 2015 - 15:53

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on a number of fronts on the construction of The Unknown Warrior.

The Unknown Warrior takes a rest at Donnington Services during its movement from Barrow Hill to Tyseley, 29th September. Photo – Kevin West

The major work of permanent fitting the cylinders and Motion Brackets to the locomotive has been completed.

Engineering Report - August 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 9 September, 2015 - 17:37

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on a number of fronts on the construction of The Unknown Warrior.

The major work of permanent fitting the cylinders to the locomotive has been completed.

RH Motion Bracket with Bottom Slide Bar in place being drilled – Photo:- Gavin Shell

Engineering Report - June 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 2 July, 2015 - 18:14

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on a number of fronts on the construction of The Unknown Warrior.

The major work at present is the permanent fitting of the cylinders to the locomotive frame assembly.

Engineering Update - May 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 5 June, 2015 - 12:33

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on a number of fronts on the construction of The Unknown Warrior.

Engineering Update - May 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 8 May, 2015 - 15:07

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on a number of fronts on the construction of The Unknown Warrior.

Engineering Update - February 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 13 March, 2015 - 16:34

Locomotive Frame Assembly

Work continues on a number of fronts on the construction of The Unknown Warrior.

The Unknown Warrior is a 3 cylinder locomotive after the fitting of the right hand cylinder at outside Llangollen shed. 23rd January  2015

Photo – Kevin West

TUBEPLATE PROGRESS

Submitted by Kevin West on 5 March, 2015 - 18:27

Progress continues on the construction of the boiler for The Unknown Warrior.

Latest work has included drilling the Firebox Tubeplate as seen here in this picture.

Picture - Oakwood Visuals

A full engineering update will follow next week.

Engineering Update - December 2014/January 2015

Submitted by Kevin West on 21 January, 2015 - 14:09

Locomotive Frame Assembly

The Unknown Warrior’s frost covered nameplate catches the sun outside Llangollen shed. 3rd December 2014

Photo – Kevin West

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