Charles - Penrhyn Mainline Hunslet

[dewintondave]

It's been so hot and dry that I haven't been venturing out to run anything on the line. So I have been making some progress on the frames. I have been closely looking at pictures of the real thing to work out axle box dimension, I thought I'd better make proper axle boxes even though they may not be sprung

Milling the axle box slots in the frames

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Finish milling the axle boxes - end mill sharpened on the bench grinder

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[LNR]

Nothing like a bit of sharpening on the bench grinder to keep your eye in. Another great build moving along.
Grant.

[dewintondave]

Re-cutting the distinctive front cut-out to better match pictures of the original

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[tom_tom_go]

Why does the prototype have that cut out, is it purely cosmetic?

[dewintondave]

Why does the prototype have that cut out, is it purely cosmetic?

I don't know. Perhaps it's to give it a graceful swallow-like appearance befitting a mainline engine

[Keith S]

[quote=tom_tom_go post_id=152022 time=<a href="tel:1584777506">1584777506</a> user_id=395]
Why does the prototype have that cut out, is it purely cosmetic?

I don't know. Perhaps it's to give it a graceful swallow-like appearance befitting a mainline engine
[/quote]

The Ffestiniog locos have a leading axle, and are 2-4-0 now: maybe this has something to to with that cut-out in the frame.

[dewintondave]

Manual CNC'ing the radii of the central slot

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[TonyW]

The Ffestiniog locos have a leading axle, and are 2-4-0 now: maybe this has something to to with that cut-out in the frame.

The frames were also extended at the front (by about 8 inches, IIRC) when the pony trucks were fitted.

[dewintondave]

The Ffestiniog locos have a leading axle, and are 2-4-0 now: maybe this has something to to with that cut-out in the frame.

The frames were also extended at the front (by about 8 inches, IIRC) at the front when the pony trucks were fitted.

It's awful what they did to those locos, even fitted piston valves to Blanche

[TonyW]

It's awful what they did to those locos, even fitted piston valves to Blanche

I'd be interested to read your thoughts on what should have happened to them.

[dewintondave]

It's awful what they did to those locos, even fitted piston valves to Blanche

I'd be interested to read your thoughts on what should have happened to them.

IMO, they should be as near as the original as possible Tony. Unless they have repented I hope they don't get their hands on Charles

[TonyW]

IMO, they should be as near as the original as possible Tony. Unless they have repented I hope they don't get their hands on Charles

Interesting, thank you. In my view, IF they had been left in original condition they would have been of no use to the Festiniog for a variety of reasons including poor lubrication, poor frame design, insufficient fuel capacity and too big for Garnedd tunnel. I think it fair to say that if the FR had not taken them then their future would have been very different (export to the USA maybe?), as would have been the future of the FR.

[dewintondave]

Interesting, thank you. In my view, IF they had been left in original condition they would have been of no use to the Festiniog for a variety of reasons including poor lubrication, poor frame design, insufficient fuel capacity and too big for Garnedd tunnel. I think it fair to say that if the FR had not taken them then their future would have been very different (export to the USA maybe?), as would have been the future of the FR.

Thank you Tony. Let's hope Charles remains original

[dewintondave]

Got the keepers finished. Next job axle boxes

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[FWLR]

Nice work Dave.

[Old Man Aaron]

That's some really professional work right there. Even your lathe is quite nice, especially compared to mine.

[dewintondave]

Thank you lads

[dewintondave]

Finally the frames will stand up on their own - just. Drilling and fitting the angle pieces at the moment

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[bambuko]

Nice work Dave
I am slightly confused , because you've said before that you are not planning to have sprung axleboxes,
but looking at your last photo (too small to be totally sure) there appear to be pockets for axlebox springs?
Any chances of close up photo and clarification from you?

[dewintondave]

Thank you!

Those are slots to pass the rod from the axle box to the leaf springs above. It's all likely to be solid as the loco could be rather lively with such overhangs if it were sprung, but we will see