MEMBERS' MONTHLY BULLETIN - December 2021

Engineering 

 After a thorough technical investigation with the active cooperation of Boro Foundry, we have jointly concluded that the driving wheels cannot be repaired to the standard required. Settlement terms have been agreed constructively with Boro Foundry, who are no longer equipped to cast this type of product.  Discussions are now in progress with William Cook Cast Products on the procurement of new wheels. The original wheel pattern has been secured for collection from Tyesley Locomotive Works for this purpose.

 West Shed closed for the holiday period from 20^th December to 4^th January.  In addition PRLCT resources were committed to unscheduled but successful main line runs in December with 6233.  Materials were ordered and supplied for the frame shotblasting treatment to start in the new year. 

 The safety valves have been completed by Locomotive Maintenance Services Loughborough and transferred to West Shed.

 HBSS have completed the boiler slide work, and are progressing the fitting of the transverse stays.

 Heritage Steam Project Cooperation  

We have worked behind the scenes with 5 other steam locomotive projects to arrange a joint workshop session on January 26^th  2022. This will focus on risk assessment work that can be applied generically to new build and major restoration projects destined for the main line. 

 Finance  

We have had a few issues with our software recently which may mean that, despite Linda and David Westerman’s hard work, you may not have had a renewal notification/reminder; if so, please contact Linda on our temporary mobile number - 07801 945689 - after 4^th January. We can renew via debit/credit card over the phone, and in order to save time and money, and to make things more straightforward for you, we are looking at a system for processing direct debits.  Our Treasurer hopes to provide more details in the next issue of The Warrior.

We are pleased to report that we have had 6 new regular donors in the week before Christmas and many messages of support following the AGM and the article in Steam Railway 526.

Sales  

Thanks to all who made Christmas purchases.  Calendars have been selling well but if you’ve still not got yours, buy now whilst stocks last!  On a cautionary note, the Kinseys will be moving house in the week beginning 10 January, so there will be some delay in sales orders being despatched.