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.
William Cook Cast Products have completed preparatory work on the driving wheel pattern. This work was carried out free of charge after contract discussions. Completion of the casting work is still expected by the end of June. The original wheelsets have now been returned to PRCLT at West Shed for salvaging re-usable components.
The reassembly of the chassis remains on hold as we need more time to complete our assessment of the quality checks needed on existing chassis components. People availability in April has been a challenge. However our certification body Ricardo has provided valuable input and an inspection is being planned. We are also working with key suppliers on this issue.
The replacement driving wheel contract has been placed with William Cook Cast Products in Sheffield, with a delivery lead time of 12-14 weeks: preparatory work on the wheel pattern has been carried out free of charge by the company. Material for a new front buffer beam has been delivered (there is more about this in The Warrior 52). An estimate has been sought from South Devon Railway for the wheelset re-assembly package, after work on specification preparation. Dialogue continues with Cast Iron Welding over cylinder modification pending authorisation. Materials have been delivered for the new fitted bolts required for chassis re-assembly.
Frame shotblasting had to be postponed into first half of March because of adverse weather.
The replacement driving wheel contract has been placed with William Cook Cast Products in Sheffield, with a delivery lead time of 12-14 weeks: preparatory work on the wheel pattern has been carried out free of charge by the company. Material for a new front buffer beam has been delivered (there is more about this in The Warrior 52). An estimate has been sought from South Devon Railway for the wheelset re-assembly package, after work on specification preparation. Dialogue continues with Cast Iron Welding over cylinder modification pending authorisation. Materials have been delivered for the new fitted bolts required for chassis re-assembly.
Frame shotblasting had to be postponed into first half of March because of adverse weather.