Sandringham New Build

Just a quick "Thanks" to Wozzy for keeping updating this thread, it is much appreciated.

 

I will check this with our Director who is looking into the tender's restoration and get back to you. You may note I live in British Columbia, Canada so with the 8 hour time difference my responses may be slightly delayed!

 

Thanks! I will be posting another update fairly soon. For my sins, I edit the Trust's magazine "The Spirit" so have to finish the latest issue first.

 

If it eventually emerges built on two of the under frames looking like this, we'll know who to blame!



Tom

 

It's fine, it's not being restored at Didcot

 

I hope the attached pdf will help answer some of your questions. There are lots of photographs!

To the question of which one would be the primary basis for reconditioning for 61673, the honest answer is that we don't know yet. Only a full assessment by e.g. the Flour Mill will determine that. My suspicion, for what it's worth, is that the seemingly less complete, ex-J39 tender is actually the better candidate, as it is very complete mechanically (brake gear, springs etc.) and was maintained relatively recently. Neither tank is likely to be fit to run again so it's the chassis that is the key consideration. Speculation apart, however, we will simply have to wait to get the real answer.

 

Machining of the two crank axle sweep webs has been finished at Daniela Works in Shildon and what things of beauty they are! Machining has also now started on the two stub axles and the crank pin. Hopefully the attached diagram explains how this all fits together as part of the crank axle. These are the last major components needed to create the three driving wheelsets, as the two plain axles are also due for completion soon. Then everything will be shipped down to South Devon Engineering for final assembly of the wheelsets.

Work on the cab is also progressing well Now the CAD and the design work has been completed, production has started, with the cab supporting bracket and the bottom curved sections of the cab sides now ready. Production continues with the cab sides and roof sheeting. Come and see progress at the Open Day on 11th April at our base at the Diamond Group works (formerly CTL Seal), to see how far it has got in the next 6 weeks.

A new membership form has also been produced (see below). If anyone would like to join our journey on seeing a B17 take to the tracks, then please feel free to email me at alanwarren.18@gamil.com and I will arrange for one to be sent to you by post.

 

That's two Bulleid 5500's welded with extras I think?

 

Wow! Makes your contribution all the more fantastic @Wozzy18 thank you

 

Suppose if a new tender tank is required its an opportunity to bump up the water cap at the expense of coal... or will it be oil by the time we get there ?

 

The B17 Trust, in 2022, set a challenge to a group of 3rd year students at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield to provide a redesigned tender design for No. 61673 without significant impact on the authenticity of its historic appearance. Their resulting solution proposal envisaged an increase of water capacity from 4,200 to 5,200 gallons.

The proposed increase in capacity would be achieved by reducing coal capacity on the tender itself to make room for an additional 666 gallons of water storage, while also adding 334 gallons in a small tank to be fitted in a support coach coupled to the locomotive. Calculations were specified to ensure that the tender would be able to round curves at 160 km/h (100 mph) successfully without risk of derailing. All this would be achieved without departing from the authentic profile of the LNER 4,200 gallon tender

Attached below is the outcome of the Sheffield student's design brief looking at increasing the capacity of our tender. Apologies if it is difficult to read but you should be able to expand the image on your computer or phone.

It is important to state that this is not necessarily the route the B17 SLT will finally take.

In respect of oil firing, it is not the current intention of the Trust to oil fire Spirit of Sandringham. However, the latest issue of our magazine, The Spirit, does contain an article on the potential need to consider oil firing at some point in the future.