P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

If the problem with P2 crank axles stems from too much adhesion then surely the P2 Locomotive Trust should develop a device to sprinkle 'the wrong type of leaves' just ahead of the driving wheels.

 

....... don't call us ......

 

Bear in mind, that increasing the diameter will decrease peak stress load, but another huge factor is the quality of modern steels, which is like for like more robust having few inclusions and more well defined chemical and mechanical properties.

Also, there are grades available now that are significantly stronger and would have been the envy of designers in the 30's.

Either way, this is a materpiece of a crank axle and a huge milestone for the loco.

 

So basically 12% stronger in bending and torsion (10^3/9.625^3) based on the section alone. As @W.Williams correctly points out, the materials used will be of higher quality and they may well have chosen a stronger grade as well, so the actual improvement is likely to be more than this.

 

Depends where the steel is made.

 

Hahaha oh no...please dont start that one !

 

South Africa

 

According to David Elliott the updated FEA study by Mott McDonald showed the improvement in fatigue lives for the worst scenarios with the increased axle diameter and modified key ways is dramatic (in the order of a factor of at least 10) leading to the conclusion that the Trust will have little difficulty in demonstrating the minimum life of a
quarter of a million miles. Given the increased power of the P2 design and the problems found with the crank axle, there was also a desire to improve the material for the sweeps. Somers Forge proposed a stronger material which retained the toughness of the original EN8 steel and this was duly approved.

Foxy

 

What grade are the axles, just out of curiosity?

 

A staggering month for the P2 project, £117,000 raised and half the fund for the cylinders covered! Wow!

"£100,000 appeal for the cylinder block for new Gresley Class P2 steam locomotive No. 2007 Prince of Wales reaches 50% in just one month. October was a record breaking fundraising month for The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust with over £117,000 donated or pledged towards No. 60163 Tornado and No. 2007 Prince of Wales. The Cylinder Club welcomed 54 new members, donating £1,000 each, 12 A1 Covenantors, 12 P2 Covenators, one Boiler Club member, two Mikado Club members, two 163 Pacifics Club members, six Tornado Team (our children’s club for 5-15 year olds) members, over £2,500 in Dedicated Donations and over £17,000 in donation. These donations were thanks to our P2 Roadshow in Dundee, ‘The Tees Tyne Express’ railtour with No. 60163 Tornado and a number of visits to Darlington Locomotive Works."

https://www.p2steam.com/2017/11/07/full-steam-ahead/

Foxy

 

Potentially daft question, but will this fit on the Turntable at Ferryhill in Aberdeen? They are getting closer to having it working again.

It would be great to see her on her 'home' line, although I appreciate that's not strictly correct.

 

I think the stats for the P2 are, length over buffers 74' 6", wheelbase just over 64'.

Foxy

 

Just in time for Christmas the Trust has produced a rather fetching poster of the P2:

https://www.p2steam.com/2017/11/22/iconic-lner-designs-inspire-prince-wales-poster/


Foxy

 

I have always wondered how they drilled the holes for LNER straight nameplates in the right place in the smoke deflector, as the plates are fixed by studs screwed into blind holes in the back of the nameplate, and nutted on the inside of the deflector. Any insight as to how this is done?

 

Make a drilling template is ome way

 

Yes, that sounds right, that's probably how the LNER did it, with a template for each size of plate, and perhaps drilling the holes in the smoke deflector slightly oversize to allow a bit of wiggle room.

 

Exciting to follow this amazing project!

The boiler for No. 2007 Prince of Wales, will it be manufactured i the UK, or will it (as with Tornado) be delivered by Meiningen, Germany?


Knut

 

Last I heard at first hand (in April) no decision had been made. There is no foregone conclusion that it will be built in Meiningen. My understanding is that from placing the order for the boiler to delivery is expected to take about a year. They won't need to choose a supplier until they have enough money to place an order for the boiler, though doubtless preliminary enquiries have been made. It could be built in the UK . The monobloc and valve gear seems the main priority for spend at present.

 

Thank you so much for your answer Sir! Lets hope it`s all been "Made in Britain"

Regards

Knut