P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

Jacking the loco up to take the weight off the wheels will make them easy to turn but there are two problems with this. 1) The journal will be sitting on the underkeep, which isn't a bearing surface and there's always the possibility of scoring the journal (roller bearings excepted) and 2) without rods, the wheels will be out of balance so will tend to rotate themselves to the point where they are stable. I oil the rails and use a jack on the crankpin with a suitable block of hardwood between to turn it to the required position. That's another reason for doing it at 03.00/09.00. You'll probably have to move the loco a couple of times to achieve alignment but it's not difficult. If necessary, taking some, but not all, of weight off the wheels by jacking the loco makes it easier.

 

Not to worry, I miss lots of comments.

 

Posted today, the locomotive has been jacked up, and the rotator installed under the 2nd pair of drivers. We can now see the wheels properly in motion for the first time, in a symphony of polished, precision-engineered steel. Also a short feature on the grinding of the studs for the big end straps. More polished steel porn:
https://www.p2steam.com/category/news/

 

Tom Ingall has produced another shiny new video for the Trust:



Foxy

 

Some fascinating images posted on Monday, depicting the fabrication of the cylinder block. Here's just one, showing the setting up of the steam chest and ports on the RH cylinder. It illustrates just how complex this construction is:


More views of work on the other 2 cylinders here:

https://www.p2steam.com/category/news/
(Photo by Howco)

 

Looking at the P2 site, those are some highly complex assemblies - Full marks to the P2 team for their re-design work, and to Howco for managing to produce the required assemblies!

Richard.

 

Another update on progress with the cylinders today. This is the middle cylinder:


The sheer complexity of form involved creates an almost organic impression here, and really is one for the Howco "Book of achievement". With the tender frames, plus the boiler due for delivery this year, the pace is gathering rapidly.
There is an appeal for funds to have this particular section of the P2 complete by summer. To that end, the "Cylinder manufacturing club" is being rebranded as "The Monobloc Club",and the full report with photos is here:
https://www.p2steam.com/category/news/

 

Should be in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park alongside Henry Moore creations....well done superb bit of BRITISH ENGINEERING AND CRAFTSMANSHIP.....

 

But surely it isn't a monobloc?

 

Or, more appositely given for what she was known, alongside those of Barbara Hepworth. "Holes were not gaps – they were connections"

Tom

 

...yet.

 

I am in two minds about the monobloc. Clearly does have advantages. Will that translate after an intense period of work and then overhaul? We can't tell as yet. One would hope so. And in fairness, these days, the manner in which an overhaul happens in preservation will differ from what happened in working service.

The V2s which had the monobloc en-masse, mostly in the main were brought into line with the other big LNER engines by having separate cylinders fitted where required - Green Arrow was preserved not just because it was the first - it was one of the few retaining the original monobloc design.

 

I can see a definite advantage to employing a rigid ‘monobloc’ when using this design of rotary gear. The camshafts pass through the line of the frames, each one operating one set of either inlet or exhaust valves on the middle cylinder. You wouldn’t want any movement at all between the cylinders which might interfere with the smooth rotation of the camshafts.


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I wonder if the P2 Locomotive Co. will have a spare made? Just a thought. I know not many of our preserved locomotives are lucky enough to have spares, but if in future one is required by the P2, will the skill still exist to manufacture a spare to the same spec and precision that Howco are making this one? Obviously the CAD drawings will still exist, but it's still intriguing.

Richard.

 

Maybe you’ll just 3D print it?


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I queried "monoblock" because I was regarding that term as implying a single casting, rather than the assembly of numerous bits welded together that the P2 will have. But I stand corrected: once they have all been welded together they can't very well come apart again, so I suppose it comes to the same thing.

 

Yes you had me wondering too for a moment.

 

That's a very fair point. The whole development has been a fascinating process.

 

Very nice! We're going to need one of those for 21c11/35011, this looks like a good recommendation to use Howco when the time comes

 

I hope we get some pics of it in the Bake, or even post cooking!