82045 The way ahead?

Just brilliant news again. The way ahead? Well it's looking more likely with each passing day. With continued support I think 82045 will very soon reach that stage in any project which might be called a "tipping point" where its immediately apparent to anyone with the meanest intelligence - even me, that the project IS going to deliver, its merely a question of when. We are almost at that point I believe. Great stuff!

 

Looking at the May newletter and the pattern for the Horn block Casting. Are they that large for all Loco's or was this a part that the standards had upgraded in size compared to previous generations of loco's based upon best practice / experience ?

 

The BR Std 3 has a chassis that is closely based on the design for the Ivatt 4. One significant difference being the migration from oil to grease lubrication. Each axlebox for the leading and trailing driven wheels is supported between two axlebox guides that are attached to the frame seperately. Images previously published at http://www.82045.org.uk/news/82045_news-apr09.html . The axleboxes for the driving wheels are supported within a substantial hornblock. The form of this is most easily described as a steel casting that looks like three channels that go up the front of the axlebox, across the top and down again behind the other thrust face of the axlebox. Being a channel section means significant coring is required to ensure a clean release from the moulding sand by the pattern. The images of the hornblock pattern published so far at http://www.82045.org.uk/news/82045_news-may09.html only shown the pattern in raw timber before the application of coloured patterncoat. When coloured, the sections that are steel and those that are moulding sand (coreprints) will become clearer and a better appreciation of the true size of the hornblock may be gained.

Keep watching for updates and thanks for your interest.

 

Ever tried taking a plate out of a welded one for repair??

 

I would suggest that you refer to the rules and regulations with regard to boilers.

 

Unnecessary duplication removed

 

Appologies if I mislead anyone; I should have typed "The axleboxes for the driving wheels are each supported within a substantial hornblock".

Had you spoken with your colleagues at Llangollen before making that post, Martin, you may never had done so.

 

Whilst it is true that some areas of a "traditional" locomotive boiler are welded as a normal part of the build and repair process, other weld repair techniques would not be recommended by the boilersmiths here. Other locomotive boiler repairers are not quite so cautious. I will respect that viewpoint, but from a distance.

Marine boilers are not subject to the rapid thermal cycling and road shocks experienced by a locomotive boiler. They are also operated at a constant output for much longer periods so a somewhat different approach may be taken. I will comment no further here as to do so may be construed as me trying to embroil others in an ongoing debate in an inappropriate place.

Going back to the boiler for 82045.

The decision to go for a boiler built to drawing SL/SW/29 and not an "all welded steel" new design is to minimise difficulties with the approvals process. I.e. in essence to inherit "grandfather" rights. It must be remembered that by 1950 railways in Britain specified structural materials a little more clearly than "Best Yorkshire Steel".

We know the problems to expect when our boiler becomes due for overhaul. Whether or not 1472 is correct about the long term repairability of all welded new designs remains to be seen.

 

A perfectly good subject to debate - but on a different thread. This thread is about the progress of 82045.

 

One day last week several large steel pressings were delivered from Accurate Section Benders. These will form a number of the frame stretchers to accompany the cast firebox support backet and fabricated steam brake cylinder bracket. Photographs will appear at http://www.82045.org.uk/ shortly.

 

Latest update available at http://82045.org.uk/news/82045_news-june09.html . Meanwhile progress continues with the hornblock pattern.

 

Very good progress.

How far ahead is it when the 82045 organisation needs to look to raising of funds for the purchase of the first of the 'expensive' components and what will that be, wheels, cylinders, motion, boiler, something else ?

 

As noted at http://82045.org.uk/news/82045_news-may09.html an order has been placed for the C107 copper for the firebox.

 

More good news on the progress of 82045. Things are really beginning to come together and hopefully it won't be long before a significant part of this loco is complete - we just need to keep on telling everyone how good its going to be - because I'm sure it is!