The bars which connect the T link (from which the springs hang) to the axle boxes were found to be exhibiting signs of stress from 80,000 miles running! Still it made the decision on whether to renew or refit an easy one.
First job to buy a length of the correct size and grade of bar then set the mechanical hacksaw to work. This still takes around 35 minutes to make a single cut even with the 'additional weight' added to the arm. It does mean that whilst the saw is at work we can carry on with more work on the cladding which I guess is marginally easier work than sawing up the bar by hand.
Once cut into lengths its over to the lathe for finishing. I hope to get a picture of the finished bars shortly complete with locating dimple. Once these and a few other spring components are complete 7820 should be in a position to be re-wheeled. Hopefully this will take place in January. Look out for pictures in the new year.
There will undoubtedly be a break in reports over the next week or two as we all earn some brownie points doing family things before starting again in the new year with what hopefully will be a year of assembly and working towards lighting a fire and raising steam once again.
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