The draw gear has now been finished and fully fitted, Andy has made new pins and the holding bars between the draw bars and hooks. 

We are currently looking at the vacuum pipe, we have several bits but unfortunately the bit from the setter pipe to the Oldland end is missing so we will have to bend a new one and connect it up.  The vacuum cylinder is about to be sent away for overhaul.  So far the bits we got have been panted and are temporally fitted.  We have 2 brand new swan necks but unfortunately they need to have a thread cut in them which is causing a bit of a head ache.

Since the timber has arrived Martin and Jon have been carefully measuring and cutting it to size, they have put a chamfer down one edge of the outer planks to allow rain water to drain off and not get trapped in the joints.  After a few days of preparing they have fitted most of the Down side.

 

Since 17464 has been re-wheeled we have fitted all the overhauled brake gear.  16 x 1 inch bolts have been turned down as the originals were life expired, hopefully in the next few weeks we can drill the holes for the split pins and finish the job.  8x new brake blocks have been fitted, all of the brake work so far has just been hung to make sure it fits, final adjustments will be made when A, more weight is added to the toad so the veranda bows can be linked up and B,  the vacuum cylinder and hand brake are fitted. 

The protector plate to stop the screw coupling coming into contact with the brake gear on the veranda end has been drilled and fitted. The cabin end seat plate has been fitted, drilled and 2 holes taped. 

Hopefully the timber should arrive this week so we can get on with installing the sides and end.

Over the last few weeks we have been preparing re wheeling the toad.  With the axle boxes assembled it was decided this weekend to have a final push at re wheeling.  The toad was jacked up in a sea saw manner to allow it to be packed up high enough to wheel the wheel sets under.  Once done it was let down on the wheels.  This took several hours due to having one 30 ton hydraulic jack available.  Next is to have a major tidy up, carry on with the hand rails and start the side timbers.

 

Bath end wheel set 

Oldland end wheel set 

 

The correct height to wheel the wheel sets under

 

Finally down on the springs 

 

This week we have managed to finish the floor, the planks under where the vacuum cylinder goes have had to be rebated and fitted taking more time than the rest.  As you can see all required now is to fit the cylinder when it’s been overhauled. 

Andy has finished two of the repaired axle boxes.  We trial fitted one to make sure it fits in the horn guides using a jack to push it up, we can say it’s a good fit.  All required now is to grind the excess metal off the plates to blend them into the boxes and paint.

Last week we got a few of the wooden window frames and doors out to the stores van.   As you can see some are very time expired but we can use them as a pattern to make new when the time comes.  Some of the old timber can be reused but most will be new.  Hopefully the side / end planks will be ordered very shortly.

 

 

 

 

Just a quick update, today we fitted the hand brake column this included drilling a 4’ ½ hole in the timber floor and 4 x ¾ holes. As per usual we did not have any ¾ bolts the right length so 4 were dyed down and a split pin hole drilled in each.   As you can see it’s very tidy up that end after Dave attacked it with a hover.  Martin was busy drilling the holes out on the STD brake van so riveting can start sometime soon hopefully.  The last 2 castings (as seen in the last update) for the sand boxes have arrived and will be machined very shortly.

 

Hand brake column fitted very tidy down there

 

Todays happy gang

 

 

 

Over the last few weeks we have been fitting the floor timbers, this has taken time due each timber having to have each end recessed to avoid hitting the rivet heads so they can fit flat against the chassis, as you can see 95% is completed all we need to fit now is under the vacuum cylinder end.

The cabin sides have been given a top coat of brown, the plan is to 2^nd coat it when the floor has been completed. 

The axle boxes are coming along, all have been machined and new inserts are being made to make up the wear, these will be screwed to the boxes and machined to suite each horn guild.  All the horn guide faces have now been grinded flat.

The castings for the sand box bottoms have been cast and machined awaiting fitting when the plugs are completed.

 

 

Ground horn guides

 

Packed up waiting to be jacked up higher to allow fitting of the wheel sets when axle boxes are completed

 

Veranda timber

 

Cabin end

 

New casting

 

Fitted awaiting sand box tops

Axle boxes sleeves awaiting screwing and final machining

 

 

After a few weeks of doing odds and sods yesterday we had the 1^st timber delivered for the floor, all has been moved into the toad.  We cut 33 lengths to the correct length and at end of play today 6 planks were fitted.  Andy has started to machine the axle boxes ready for plating them to build the wear up.  Hopefully within the next few weeks the floor will be completed and the veranda sand boxes.

 

 

Timber after delivery for the floor

 

1^st face machined set up in the mill for other side

 

After machining

Before machining