Timken Axle Box Covers

[Jason]

I'm trying to find a supplier of 5" Gauge Timken axle box covers. I have tried Blackgates and Doug Hewson but the ones they supply have the word 'Timken' set below the center line, but on 70000 Britannia the word runs across the center line.

Thanks,

Jason

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[Deleted]

I've looked at a few pictures of 5" Britannias, 9Fs etc and I can see what you mean. It's disappointing that someone has taken so much trouble to produce a detailed part, and got it wrong.

However, the correct ones ARE available, though I don't know where from! Take a look at:

www.stationroadsteam.co.uk/stock%20pages/2919/pages/2919-o.htm

If you're stuck with the Hewson covers, all I can suggest is that you paint them black, which is how they were when built. The displaced lettering then won't be so obvious. I suppose it depends on which period you're trying to capture.

[Jason]

Vulcan can you please show your friend the photo I attached to see if he thinks he can make them and if so supply a price for 8?

Superseven thanks for the link, it has confirmed that they are avaiable, I just need to find out who makes them. I've thought about painting them black but even then I'd prefer to get the correct covers if possible.

[The Red Baron]

Hi Jason,
I was just looking for something else when I saw these listed in the Blackgates catalogue. No idea what they look like as there is no picture but might be of interest. Page 135 or thereabouts.
Or it might be worth trying John Tipton - the chap who does the lost wax headlemc castings etc.
modeller.john[at]virgin.net
Hope this is of some use
Manfred

[44767]

A friend has been working on exactly the same thing-in fact working off the same photograph. I helped him model it in SolidWorks and from it a rapid prototype was produced. I'm not sure if he has got to the stage of getting a mould made for lost wax castings but if you're interested I'll see if he would supply castings. Photo of screen dump attached.

[44767]

After a bit of playing around with the photo-rendering tools...

[waggy]

Morning all,

As a slight aside to the main subject, from my experience of railway work, anything painted yellow with red bands or vice versa denoted something none standard. In this case it could be experimental bearings fitted, a new type of grease or even weather seals for evaluation. Somewhere on the tender there would have been fitted an advisory plate(s) to inform staff what was non standard, maybe on the footplate or close to the handrails, in a position easily seen.

No help at all with getting the correct covers but possibly of interest?

Regards,

Waggy.

[44767]

Yes, Waggy, I believe that the red stripe was to distiguish the use of lithium based grease in the axle box. It was found to be the best grease for the application and so to remind the maintenance staff not to use any grease to hand the red stripe was painted on. However before the use of lithium grease there was no particular standard on the colour of the covers. Some were yellow; some were black. Later, when lithium grease became the norm, it became less important to paint the covers with distighishing marks so often were painted black.

Mike

[Jason]

Hi 44767,

I would be interested in your friend supplying 8 lost wax castings of the Timken axle box covers. Can you ask on my behalf or PM me his contact details?

Jason

[craiggluyas]

Hi Mike,
I'm looking for something similar for a 10¼" gauge class 40 I'm building. I don't suppose you could send me a 3d file across could you that I could scale up and put into my cad? I've tried to play around but can't get the font to look right! I'll prob get some rapid prototypes done from these people impossiblecreations.co.uk/

Cheers

Craig

[44767]

Jason,

I picked up the covers this afternoon. I think they have come out really well.



I sent you a PM,

Mike

[Jim]

That is superb Mike...like all of your work.

Jim

[44767]

Thanks Jim- too kind. It's a shame you've already done yours.

Mike

[Jim]

Don't remind me Mike

For obvious reasons I won't be adding the red stripe to the covers and trust that at ground level no one will notice the name isn't central.
Anyone making a comment in the workshop will be immediately tossed out.

Jim

[Jason]

Mike,

The covers arrived yesterday, Newzealand to the Uk in 5 day (3 working days) amazing!!

Lovely quality, well worth the wait for you to get them cast.

Cheers

Jason

[jma1009]

what wonderful service and help from fellow model engineers! hope you let us have a pic of them fitted to your loco, jason!

i made some axlebox covers for the wagon to go behind my STEPNEY last year using ferric chloride solution on handpainted lettering on brass for the LB&SCR lettering. nothing like as challenging or noticeable as the TIMKEN covers though!

cheers,
julian

[44767]

Jason,

I'm pleased they have arrived safely. It's always been good mail delivery to the UK. That was the 4-10 day service which is a bit cheaper than the 2-4 day service. Make sure you post a photo of them on your model!

Mike

[44767]

Feb 18, 2013 20:36:57 GMT @superseven said:

I've looked at a few pictures of 5" Britannias, 9Fs etc and I can see what you mean. It's disappointing that someone has taken so much trouble to produce a detailed part, and got it wrong.

In fairness to Doug, I found this image clearly showing a different version of the Timken cover (paint job is questionable!) which maybe what was modelled for his covers. I have no idea what full size loco or wagon this cover is off but it certainly shows that working off photographs of the particular one you're modelling is very important.

Mike

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That's very interesting. The flimsy welded horns suggest it's on a wagon of some sort, but I've just spent an hour looking through BR wagon photos and haven't come up with anything to identify it yet. I notice there is no greasing facility - perhaps this one is sealed for life?

[trainman]

Just got a set of Timken covers from Mike - fantastic covers and an excellent service.
Thoroughly recommended.
Paul