New GWR Drawhook progress

As you are probably aware Dinmore Manor Loco Ltd are having a batch of new GWR drawhooks manufactured. As part of the manufacturing process to ensure that the batch is certified and therfore suitable for use on both preserved lines and the mainline a smaple drawhook had to be tested. Below are some pictures of the first drawhook on the test rig. If anybody needs a new drawhook or two please get in touch as we have a few which are still available from the first batch. A second batch may be some years away as making individual hooks is cost prohibitive so enquire now if you feel your drawhook may wear out in the next few years.

The new drawhook in the test rig ready for being pulled to and beyond its elastic limit.

A overall shot of the test rig; The machine is about 40 feet long and was bought by the current owners second hand in 1890. According to the current calibration certificate it is still within 1% tolerance!

A long overdue update...

Despite no updates for several weeks work has not stopped in fact you could say we have been so busy working on the engine it has left no time for pictures and words to be uploaded. So below is a summary of all that has been going on to get 7820 back into steam.

The completly overhauled reverser reday for mounting back into the cab. A lot less play now all the components have been refurbished and renewed where necessary. Hope fully this should give a nice quiet ride in the cab.

Line boring the new bushes in the brake pull rods.

Bogie frame stripped cleaned and painted, all thats needed now is the overhauled wheel sets and axle boxes and it can start to go back together.

Just in case you though cleaning and painting had been completed the seemingly limitless supply of parts continues to be processed.

Bogie wheel sets receiving attention, just like the driving wheels only on a smaller scale.

With the bogie out the last bit of the main frames under the cylinder block  has been cleaned and painted.

Complete set of overhauiled fitted bolts for the weighbar shaft bearings and the bridle rod roller.