6880

It's all gone quiet since SS&S2. What is happening?

 

I've got an e-mail somewhere as I asked the same question. Once I'm back on my laptop I'll give the details of what's in it.

As for the website, don't get me started! Living down South I don't get all the updates I used to, so was planning on using the website to keep me up-to-date. This has been severely lacking and is something I am trying to get rectified.

 

Thanks Martin.

 

Thanks Martin, i was somewhat curious about that myself given my only link to what is going on is the website living overseas which has seen a distinct lack of updates since the Gala.

Hopefully the contribution cheque I sent in the summer was received, as I will be getting ready to send another early in the new year.

 

Right my laptop wont let me view Martin's upload and I'm yet to see my copy as it's back home so apologies if this duplicates anything, but this is what I have been informed of.

The saddleplate and front stretchers are currently being fitted by the full-time staff. Reason being in order to go mainline they have to meet VAB standards, which requires skilled labour so the volunteers are unable to help with this process. We did reduce their workload in the summer however by completing the marking out all the holes and then drilling them.

The dragbox is presently being machined prior to fitting, again by full-time staff for same reasons. It was put into place by volunteers prior to SSS2 firstly to show progress but secondly to make sure it fitted into place.

Away from the building, we are presently preparing the final procurement of the hornties and hornguides and we are looking into acquiring quotes for the extension frames. Shall let you know of anything else once I get anymore information.

 

I can reveal that we now have a complete set of drawing for the front extension frames, they were completed about a week ago. These have been sent out to be looked at and so has the method for which we will construct the front extension frame. We await there approval or questions.

Meanwhile as normal there are a million and a half of holes that need drilling.
Also we have a few new bit's and bobs like the connecting rod and the extension frame buffer support castings that are some extremely heavy bits of metal.
The dragbox should be in permanently and all riveted up in a bit.
It's all a question of time since we expect that by the middle of next year we should have the extension frame at Llangollen. Or so i'm told.
It'll be nice to see the frames at there full length.

 

OMG update on the 6880 website people !

http://www.6880.co.uk/wp/

 

Quite impressed with the latest newsletter on there. Even I get a mention in it!

 

Another update, even if it is just outlining our membership schemes.

 

As a shareholder (albeit a minor one) in 6880, it disturbs me that a potentially expensive development has taken place. It now appears that there will be no volunteer input into the building of the loco & that all work in future will be paid for at market rates. The only people who appeared to know what they were doing engineering wise have departed, one to move away & the other forced out by people who should know better ,but who put self-interest before the good of the project. Hopefully we can get enough people to attend the next a.g.m. & put this project back in the hands of people who can progress the build to a successful conclusion without breaking the bank.

Bob.

 

Let's be honest about this build. If it is to go main-line most of the work has to be done by professional people, with supervised volunteer labour doing some of the work.

 

There is a world of difference between professional people and paid staff and the two should not be confused. You can be a volunteer and have a professional approach. Indeed, you must have a professional approach in this world of ours, whether it is on the big railway or a small railway. HMRI frequently make that statement. NELPG don't employ people, except for specialist sub-contract work. The vast majority of their maintenance and overhaul work is done by volunteers and they turn out locos equal to the best of them.
Nothing to do with 6880, though, about which I have no knowledge.

 

I must agree it is a very good point about professional people and paid staff, Steve.

 

It's also worth making the point that paying people doesn't necessarily make them good at their job, as events at Southall would seem to show!

 

6880 website has had a few updates recently. http://www.6880.co.uk/wp/

Next to arrive will be the hornties and hornguides, and then hopefully by the end of the summer we are hoping for the extension frames to arrive as well. Just waiting for some checks to be completed on the drawing before we make the order for these.

If you want any more information 6880 is attending Didcot GWR175 all week, with a stand being located in the carriage shed.

 

I hope that somebody competent will mark out the holes in these very expensive frame extensions after previous incidents with very basic marking out.

Bob.