Boscastle Locomotive Limited
May 2024
Tender
All of the tender brake gear that can be fitted is now on the tender. The brake pull rods were trial fitted and holes eased as required so that everything swung freely, some rods needed the alignment of the fork ends adjusting with a little heat and a slight twist before they sat correctly on their adjoining components.
Material has been purchased and drawings made for the new brake support brackets that hang from the underside of the tank.
The tender lamps and conduits were fitted to the rear of the tank, largely to clear space in the container but also to enable wiring runs to be put in place.
Our attention has now turned to refurbishing the worn front brake shaft, which requires its journals to be built up with weld and re-machined.
Locomotive
On the locomotive, the new whistle handles have been finished, the steam sanding valve has been stripped and cleaned with just one seating face requiring attention.
The driving wheel dust shields have been made up and fitted to the leading and trailing wheelsets.
A start has been made on replacing the stolen middle big end components, with the material for the two locking plates being roughly machined to size and a cutter being purchased to machine the fine serrated surfaces on these parts.
Finally, after eighteen months of waiting, we have received an initial payment from the insurers for the stolen parts, which has enabled us to start the long process of sourcing replacing items.
A pattern has been purchased for the tender front brake shaft brackets and castings from these are currently on order.
We have had offers of spare parts from other groups and are now actively looking to acquire suitable replacement components.
Images on this page are copyright A.J.Morgan