Project News

MEMBERS MONTHLY BULLETIN, JUNE 2021

Submitted by Colin Hall on 10 July, 2021 - 08:24

Engineering

The major news this month concerns our driving wheels. We reported last month that they had to be tested after defects had been found in one wheel. The shot-blasting required for testing purposes was completed around the end of May, and the inspection itself was completed on June 14^th.

The inspection was carried out by British Engineering Services (BES), using magnetic particle testing (MPI). Three members of our team attended at Riley and Son to witness the testing, joined by a senior representative from Boro Foundry who cast the wheels in 2010/11.

We have just received the formal BES report, which confirms that all the five wheels tested have widespread serious cracking.

Read more about MEMBERS MONTHLY BULLETIN, JUNE 2021

MEMBERS MONTHLY BULLETIN, MAY 2021

Submitted by Colin Hall on 31 May, 2021 - 20:37

Engineering

Work at West Shed continues to be limited by PRCLT’s need to allocate resources to 6233’s overhaul. However the left hand side expansion link has been successfully fitted and the inside expansion link has been removed for assessment.

There is no progress yet on the testing of the driving wheels reported in last month’s bulletin. The wheels have to be shot-blasted before the testing can be carried out and we are liaising actively with Riley and Son to get this done.

We do however have some better news: we have found an alternative supplier for the new axle material we need this year - the prospect of an 18-month wait has receded.

Read more about MEMBERS MONTHLY BULLETIN, MAY 2021

MEMBERS' MONTHLY BULLETIN - APRIL 2021

Submitted by Colin Hall on 1 May, 2021 - 13:45

ENGINEERING

April has been a difficult month. In the course of the original weld repairs work at Riley and Son (Bury), a significant crack was detected in one of the trailing wheel pans. Repairs were started at the end of March, but the cracking was found to be more serious and extensive than anticipated. After on-site inspection and discussion this month, it is our conclusion that the wheel concerned will have to be scrapped. In the circumstances, the project has also decided that, as a precaution, we need to test the other driving wheels for similar cracking. Preparatory work for this testing has started.

Read more about MEMBERS' MONTHLY BULLETIN - APRIL 2021

MEMBERS MONTHLY BULLETIN, MARCH 2021

Submitted by Colin Hall on 31 March, 2021 - 10:06

ENGINEERING

At West Shed, work has been reduced with our agreement to allow essential maintenance work to take place on PRCLT’s 6233. However, a start has been made on new fittings for the cylinder covers. Active dialogue also continued with Riley and Son over the re-assembly of one wheelset after the weld repairs. Because of the pandemic, it has not yet been possible to follow-up with the South African manufacturer over delivery of the replacement axle material for the second wheelset.

Read more about MEMBERS MONTHLY BULLETIN, MARCH 2021

MEMBERS MONTHLY BULLETIN - FEBRUARY 2021

Submitted by Colin Hall on 1 March, 2021 - 11:06

ENGINEERING

At West Shed, the motion has now had all the bushes pressed off and the condition of all components fully assessed.

Following discussions with PRCLT we have decided that using the legacy motion parts obtained for 5551 could have a hidden risk of failure. One of the radius rods has a previous repair that has weakened the part to the point of being unsuitable for further use. We will therefore be sourcing 2 new outside combination levers, 1 union link & 2 outside radius rods.