smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Oct 29, 2016 19:51:45 GMT
This is a reassembly job of a 7 1/4" Bagnall to the M J Engineering design. She is a big bit of metal. Here is a shot in the fading light this afternoon. I have cleaned off most of the thick and sticky gunge from the chassis. I see that one side is right down as if the (quite large) springs are broken on that side. There is about 3-4mm difference in height. Another job for the list! I know I need a smokebox and I have ordered one from MJ, together with a set of drawings. I was going to begin with prepping the boiler for the club hydraulic test but this chassis problem may come first. Pete
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Post by andyhigham on Oct 29, 2016 21:28:25 GMT
A big sweet pea
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Post by GWR 101 on Oct 29, 2016 23:22:59 GMT
Pete a really nice looking loco and even bigger in the flesh, wishing you the best in your restoration project and I am sure you will reap the benefits of your efforts. Regards and many thanks for the warm welcome Paul.
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Post by keithedwards on Oct 30, 2016 19:07:41 GMT
I look forward to seeing your more detailed pictures. I am building one at the moment and have a set of frames half built in the spare room that I'm trying to plod along with.
In reference to your smokebox, is the saddle the original casting? As I am trying to work out how best to machine it.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Oct 30, 2016 19:08:31 GMT
Pete a really nice looking loco and even bigger in the flesh, wishing you the best in your restoration project and I am sure you will reap the benefits of your efforts. Regards and many thanks for the warm welcome Paul. Always good to meet up in person Paul. Pity we all live so far apart. There again we would talk all day and get nothing done I suspect! Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Oct 30, 2016 19:12:42 GMT
I look forward to seeing your more detailed pictures. I am building one at the moment and have a set of frames half built in the spare room that I'm trying to plod along with. In reference to your smokebox, is the saddle the original casting? As I am trying to work out how best to machine it. Hi Keith, I assume it is the original casting - I have ordered drawings so can check dimensions when they come. The guy I bought it off had another one that was a runner. It certainly looked identical but you never know for sure. I hope your spare room is downstairs! Pete.
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Post by keithedwards on Oct 30, 2016 20:05:01 GMT
Yes my spare room is downstairs. Although a word to the wise, don't carry the frames with horns and cab around on your own. I pulled a ligament in my chest which was rather painful for days. especially when your friends find it funny to make you laugh to cause more of it. Always worth having a friend and a beer in the fridge, pays off.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Oct 31, 2016 10:12:36 GMT
This is one of the axleboxes that isn't moving. Any suggestions for a quick fix? Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Nov 2, 2016 19:16:47 GMT
Well the drawings arrived today and have shed some light on things. The arrangement in the above photo is largely a mock up of leaf spring suspension. The black double wedge shape is supposed to be a casting with the outline of leaf springs on it. The builder must have been short of a few bob and did his own thing. The actual suspension is just via the single spring which pushes against the double wedge which is fixed to the frame.
Anyway, when I have finished my course of hospital treatment I shall turn the chassis over and get the axlebox keeps off and see if I can free things up.
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Nov 5, 2016 9:30:08 GMT
The smokebox arrived yesterday from MJ Engineering. Rolled and welded for £45. As I can't weld and don't have rolling facilities it seems a bargain for a substantial chunk of steel.
I am hoping to get the chassis flipped over tomorrow and see about those axleboxes.
My older lads are taking me out to the rugby as it is my birthday so no chance today.
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Nov 5, 2016 23:24:55 GMT
Well the rugby was, erm...., pretty forgettable, the day however, was bloody marvelous.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Nov 6, 2016 16:45:49 GMT
Got the chassis onto its back. Here is one of the axles with half an axle box removed. Some of the screws holding the two halves together were loose. I have no idea if this would cause the problem described above. I can't ask for assistance to turn it back over today, it would be pushing my luck! The movement and springing seems fine so fingers crossed. Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Nov 21, 2016 17:20:15 GMT
We shifted a whole lot of metal yesterday - we turned the chassis back over!
It now sits at an even height, the axleboxes move up and down evenly so it looks like the loose bolts on the split axleboxes were the problem.
The postman delivered a right angle ball valve for the regulator today.
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Mar 11, 2017 19:19:37 GMT
Some progress to report.
I chickened out of fitting the ball valve regulator and paid someone else to do it. I didn't fancy messing about with putting threads in the bushes - too risky with my clumsy skills and not really the space in the workshop to do it anyway.
Today I fitted the top dome and plugged up all the holes in readiness for a hydraulic test at the club.
Pete.
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Post by Jim on Mar 12, 2017 1:25:18 GMT
That's good Pete when the loco is back on its feet again. As to tapping the bushes I don't blame you for getting it done professionally, they have the tools and the experience and you have the peace of mind in knowing the job has been done properly. Hope your hydraulic test goes well as I'm sure it will.
Cheers
Jim.
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Post by andrewsleigh on Mar 13, 2017 1:17:24 GMT
did you get any pictures of it pete?
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Mar 13, 2017 9:15:45 GMT
Here is a fairly crappy one with the boiler sitting on the chassis.
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Post by Jim on Mar 13, 2017 11:52:26 GMT
Hi Pete,
There's nothing wrong with that photo mate.
As an aside, one of those garden trolleys can be turned into a nice passenger wagon for a traction engine. I converted one to go behind the Burrell.
Jim
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Mar 13, 2017 13:43:56 GMT
Hi Jim,
I acquired another hydraulic trolley from our club's President recently. I spent an hour yesterday shortening the length of rail he had fixed to the table, it was over 6 feet long and his 7 1/4 Hymek sat on it. It is now a more manageable 5 feet long which is ample for the Bagnall.
The garden trolley will thus become surplus. Maybe I need to think about a traction engine now!!!!
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on May 18, 2017 7:55:20 GMT
Well no progress on this project. I had very good news from my recent medical checkup and I have been concentrating on getting myself as fit as possible for a 62 year old with arthritic knees. Quite a challenge. As a result I am below 100 kgm weight for the first time in many years. Trouble is I am eating rather heartily.
I have been running Holmside and helping at the club in between knackering myself so not completely idle as far as the hobby is concerned.
My mate and I have taken on the construction of a 10 metre length of brickwork retaining wall at the club. It is only 0.5 metres high but he is 72 and will be a good project for us to complete this year.
I intend to get the Bagnall boiler tested in the next month or so. Hoping to get the loco running by this time next year.
We'll see.
Pete.
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