Latest News

Current news items are listed below. You can click on any images for a full size image.

Cab Roof
01/12/2025
	A key job is to make sure that the cab roof fits properly. At the front and back, the roof is bolted to the cab frames. On the sides, the roof is bolted to the top cab window runner. First we fitted the cab runners to the side sheets using templates to ensure that they were set at the right height. You can see the brass window runners on the left and right of the photo above the window openings. Today's job was to refit the roof which is in 2 halves. Here, Steve, Roger and Jim are using a podger to get the holes lined up so they can get a bolt in. Next week, we will start fitting temporary bolts, starting at the centre, to bolt the roof to the front and back frames. We will then be able to start drilling the bolt holes to fasten the sides of the roof to the window runners.
Sandboxes
24/11/2025
	The trailing sandbox did not have the holes formed in the inspection hole for the door retaining bolts. Mike got to work with the magnetic drill.
Bolt Holes for Front Sandbox
24/11/2025
	The front sandbox (of 3) is a lot 242 design change and is very close to the vertical boiler carrier stretcher. We had been puzzling for a while how to drill the holes for the front sandbox feet. Anthony from CTL Seal came to teh rescue with their small magnetic drill and a rotabroach cutter.
Sandbox Chutes Pipe Clamp Pads
17/11/2025
	One of our outstanding jobs is to complete our 3 sandboxes. The original Clans and Brittanias had only 2 sandboxes and the sand feed pipe to the front wheel had a long horizontal run. So additional front wheel sandbox was specified for the lot 242 Clans. All of the chutes feeding the sandboxes have pads welded on the bottom so that pipe clamps can be fitted to support pipes that are fixed to the bottom of the chutes. We had the pads in stock but they need to be prepared before they can be welded to the chutes. Bob starts off by cleaning up the edges with a grinder.
Sandbox Chutes Pipe Clamp Pads (2)
17/11/2025
	Mike then drilled out the holes for the pipe clamp studs. These will need to be tapped for the stud thread.