567 Victorian 4-4-0 New Build

Oh, I'm well aware of that. But equally, there are other industrial locos which have needed new cylinders cast, at vast expense.
At the end of the day, I presume it was owned by owner of one of the Uglies, who decided to sell as they never expected to need it. So finding a use for it in 567 seems fair enough to me.
How different from the original cylinder block is it?

 

CTL Seal clearly see some advantage in providing space for the Clan:

https://www.ctlseal.co.uk/projects/index.html

 

We've cast several sets of cylinders for inside cylinder locos in the last few years - the most recent ones for the Wainwright H class, a loco of comparable size to the loco in question I think. Modern pattern making has bought the cost down considerably.

What surprises me most in this case is not the impact on the owners of other existing locos of using these spare ones, but - related to your question of "how different" - the effect using a different set of cylinders has on the overall design. Unless the original and the replacement have basically the same bore and stroke, the same distance between centres, the same distance between piston rod and valve rod, the same inclination etc, then you start having to make design adaptations to fit them in. And then one adapted measurement has a knock-on impact on another, and sooner or later you are designing a new loco, not reproducing an old one. At which point, drawing up and casting a set of "original" cylinders probably starts to look like less work ...

Tom

 

Indeed. Hence my question. (Although I could say it's a bit like bodging* an old GNR boiler onto a new Marsh Atlantic...)
(*Term used for effect. ;-) )

 

If I remember correctly, the point that's been repeated over and again in the newsletters and articles in Mainline and Driving Wheels is that in terms of critical dimensions and geometry the Ugly cylinder block is identical to that on the original GCR Class 2.

 

The project web site claims that "Close examination of [preserved RSH locomotives] has determined that the cylinder block, pistons, connecting rods and coupling rods are amongst the components that are identical or very similar to those on No.567. "
They also claim that the 4-4-0 was by and large a Kitson design, and its certainly true that RSH acquired Kitson's drawings. It is, I suppose, by no means impossible that much of the relevant parts of some post acquisition RSH types are Kitson design.

 

In a faceb**k post there is news that the bogie frame plates are being worked on in preparation for the horn blocks to be installed. It is great to see some sustained progress on several fronts on this new build project.

 

The FB page has announced the date and location for the 2024 Supporters meeting (Quorn "Tin Shed" on 19 October) two days ago, but the formal notification to individual Supporters is still awaited.............

 

A rather interesting Supporters Newsletter was found in the e-mail box this morning and there certainly seems to be a lot going on at the moment, as the driving wheel castings have been ordered!
They have also opened a "Just Giving" page for donations to the project in general for anyone who doesn't want to actually sign up as a regular monthly supporter....
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/gcr567loco
There is another one specifically for the driving wheel funds as well......
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/gcr567loco-drivers-fund
The unveiling of the bogie frame assembly at 11.30 on 19th October at Quorn is apparently open to the Public, the AGM and Members only part starting at 13.00, after a lunch break.

 

The trial assembly of parts of the the front bogie was unveiled at todays Supporters meeting.....



There is quite a bit going on with the project at the moment and a very informative presentation was made as to how the project can be completed within a reasonable timescale (by 2030).

At the end of the day it all boils down to sufficient money coming in to cover expenditure with more work likely to be outsourced to contractors, so renewed efforts are to be made on that front.....

 

Looks more like a pony truck to me. . . and those wheels look out of gauge too.

Oh! You mean the thing on top! Sorry!

 

Actually, the car pulling the trailer was an (original) L prefix registered vehicle, so at 30 years of age that's classed as historic nowadays!
My car dates from 2003 and there are some rallies even that is eligible for.........

 

But an original 'L'-registered vehicle (as in, L suffix) would be 50 years old...

 

Actually an original L-registered vehicle (as in, L area code) would have been from Glamorgan in the period 1903-1921.

 

Wow, yet so underwhelming compared to what you see now. The steam locos are tucked in a corner bay at CTL Seal, the area they both occupy is actually too small for a lot of the colossal structures that trundle out of the door there ... and yes the frames could be picked up and carried into the yard at any time, inconvenient but possible if required to do so.

 

It is good to see that the 567 website has been updated on a far more regular basis. I have been quite critical about this in the past and so it is only fair for me to give praise now!

 

Per the special newsletter today; a driving wheel has been cast. The newsletter suggests that there's another wheel to be cast, then an alteration to the pattern, followed by two more castings. All anticipated to be done by the time the jolly red fat man comes visiting.

Excellent progress.

 

Photo posted of the first driving wheel casting on the FB page now......
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GCR567Loco

 

Tender frame to be restored at GCR Loughborough.....
https://www.gcr567loco.co.uk/news?f...SWzfoP0CqNnC1l-8Oc_aem_DCcQ9XJSTJqOZOMoN6QxXA

 

It is good news that the GCR is to be more closely involved with the 567 project. There has been a steady increase in numbers following on Fa*ebook, some of which, I'm sure, will be supporting in more direct means as well. This project has really gained momentum in the last few months.