Sandringham New Build(s)

It’s been what, four months?

Why assume abandonment of a group actively working on its frames and other parts at Llangollen?

 

I didn't say I had assumed abandonment Simon. What I'm saying is that if someone is browsing the net and comes across the site, they might be tempted to contribute, but then put off by the lack of updates. Equally how would anyone know that the group are "actively working on its frames and other parts at Llangollen"?
All too often public appeals are put out looking for large sums of money and as soon as the group gets their money then no further updates are released (until another lump of cash is required). This (fairly widespread) attitude of "it's my railway/loco/carriages/wagon and you don't get to know anything about it, but I'll happily take your cash" needs to stop.

Keith

 

I'd argue that its more often a symptom of not having anyone local who likes doing web updates.

 

Sometimes, Keith, other things happen. I’m not privy to how the Sandringham group do things.

Nothing has convinced me more of the need for clear communication in railway circles than actually working in it, but I think absence of news doesn’t necessarily follow that nothing is happening.

Is it desirable in an instant communication led world to have an update every day? Maybe? But we’re all different in organising our different groups.

Calmly await events?

 

Am I missing something here? S of S website latest news March 2019, but construction reports for May and July 2019.

 

The last update covers an event on July 4th, this seems reasonably current.

 

So to clarify, nothing to worry about?

Good grief.

 

Just to clarify guys; the Construction Page on the B17 SLT website has May and July progress updates - seems very current to me. Since the frames were passed by the Rail Regulator in February, they report in the Spring update that: significant progress on the final rolling chassis design (CAD) has been done. In May whilst working on the final drawings that they have started to have discussions with manufacturers on other components and in the July update, they report that "The rolling chassis design definition and initial risk assessment log will be forwarded to Ricardo Rail during this month of July for approval."

See the website for the full story - http://www.b17steamloco.com/news-and-events/construction-progress.

So actually a lot of progress for a group that Steam Railway reviewed positively in the latest magazine.

Also, if you look at the events page, they are attending more shows, galas and giving talks this year than ever. Tomorrow, I note they are on Kings Cross station. So very much active whilst they get ready for the next parts to be ordered.

 

I commented in another thread that having not heard much about a particular project for considerable time, I had concluded it had been pushed to the back of the shed, and was delighted to have been proved wrong. There have also been numerous complaints about societies web pages not being updated, replied with "bottom left corner, click the project progress link which takes you...." and here is another case, it seems.
Possibly we need to actively recruit web/graphic designers into the preservation movement in order that information which is freely available is made more easily accessible.
It seems to be a fact of British human nature that whilst we all like an underdog, we tend to support those we perceive as likely to win. The groups which are able to demonstrate that they are succeeding will be most likely to attract further investment

 

Glad to read the latest updates......perhaps somebody from the SoS group has been reading this thread on NP?

 

There are two clear links to the Construction update: on the dropdown menu at the top of the home page under 'News' and comment with a link in the Home Page text under 'Construction Progress', plus a bolded comment saying
"** Detailed designs are in the process of being finalised next week for the Rolling Chassis ready for submission to the Rail Regulator for evaluation.**"

What more is really needed? Seems to me that it is an active managed site.

 

One never knows.

 

Am i reading the latest update correctly re; frame design that the frames have been in essence 'redesigned' ( beyond the inclusion of roller bearings) and those changes need passing of at various stages ? presumably because either the regulatory powers and/ or the loco builders did not consider the design as per the drawings fit for purpose... this is indeed a bold step but hopefully a very positive one.

Also is the boiler going to be a B1 (100a)225 psi ? are do we think it will end up as a Meiningen re design that 'fits the outline'....

 

The "Construction progress" drop tab offers a sub menu comprising "assets"-some photos of tenders which are not new news.
The bold statement "Detailed designs are in the process" &c is undated.
Those of us who are unfamiliar with the project won't realise that this is not an old piece of news.

What more is needed?
Maybe if the "latest News" button actually led to the latest news....?

 

Indeed. Why are construction progress and News separate menu items? By all means have an outline of the loco colour coded to show parts made/in progress/on order etc and call it 'Construction Progress', but surely if someone clicks on Latest News, they would expect all the latest news to be in that section.

Keith

 

Beautiful locomotives they were the B17s!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124446949@N06/27080810719/in/album-72157687153019406/

Knut

 

Having attended a recent talk by two of the directors they said that the frames have been amended from the original drawings in order to allow for roller bearings and their housing, but also to allow for other design amendments agreed as sound common sense with both David Elliot and Ricardo Rail (Rail Regulator) - for instance, a redesigned rubbing plate on the drag box for the tender.

The B17 SLT have always said that they would build in design improvements wherever possible and these have been dynamically modelled. I do not know about brave - it is sound common sense to me! They are not saying that the original drawings are not fit for purpose but perhaps are suggesting that even Sir Nigel Gresley could have improved on the design with the benefit of hindsight and nigh on 100 years.

The Boiler will be based upon a 100A design but again with design improvements as is felt necessary - it will operate at 225psi and the design will have nothing to do with Germany!

 

A design for an all-welded 100A boiler already exists, done by Alan Haigh who was a professional boiler designer with over 38 years experience. The basic details and calculations are given in his book "The Design, Construction and Working of Locomotive Boilers." It is an interesting read for those interested in boiler design.

 

Think you'll find my comment was that the original design, not drawings, was not fit for purpose and the fact that you are making common sense modifications is... well common sense.
and qualifies that comment. Thanks 225psi answers my question.

 

My talked to the B17 SLT's boiler man recently and he has a copy.