Build Diary entries for February 2025

Here are the diary entries for this month. You can use the forward and backward links to see the next or previous months. Most photos taken before 2018 are small size. From 2018 onwards, most photos you see below will have a link to a full size image by clicking on the photo.

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Bogie Axlebox Clearance Checks (1)
03/02/2025
	At last Octobers AGM, we showed a partly assembled bogie. At that time, we did not have the axlebox liners fitted so there was quite a big gap between the liners and the axleboxes. Over the last few weeks, we've been working on the liners and today we want to see if the bogie frame could be fitted over the wheel sets. The wheels sets were carefully positioned and then it was time to see if the frames could be lowered onto the wheelsets without locking up. With a little bit of manoeuvring, and plenty of grease applied to the faces, the frames were lowered down onto the wheelsets without any problems. here you can see one of the wheelsets in position. Note that the black cap in the centre of the cannon box is a temporary fitment. A condensing vent will need to go here
Bogie Frame Keeps
12/02/2025
	John has now started to work on the fitting of the frame keeps. The keeps close the gap across the bogie frame below the axlebox on the wheelset. Each keep will need to be fitted individually to the bogie frame. John has to carefully file away the locking face checking with a large micrometer until the required dimension is achieved. We have a video of last weeks bogie assembly trial which can view on this link.
Painting the Frames
17/02/2025
	A lot of work is going into cleaning up the frames and getting them painted for the April Open Day. All of the outside hornguide have now been smoothed down and painted. Here Ashley is applying a coat of primer to the right hand motion bracket. The nuts will be painted once a formal torque setting check is complete and signed off.
Pony Truck Spring Beams
26/02/2025
	Welding of the pony truck spring beams has been started at CTL Seal. The manganese liner plates have been tack welded to the sides of the spring beam. These will act as bearing surfaces to similar manganese steel plates welded to the sides of plates on the pony truck frame. Spigots have also been tack welded to the bottom of the spring beam. Full welding is scheduled to follow soon.
Frame Preparation
26/02/2025
	As the outside of Hengist's frames steadily turn green, the Monday gang have turned their attention to the inside of the frames. Ashley is painting the left hand motion bracket. Neil has been working on the right hand hornguide welds and John is checking progress. Roger takes a break from cleaning the frame plates which later saw a coat of paint.
Hind Cylinder Cover Pattern
28/02/2025
	Manufacture of the modified hind cylinder cover is taking place at Sutton castings in Nottinghamshire. The job of making the pattern has been subcontracted to Greenbank Patterns; they have been able to use their CNC pattern making machine for this job thanks to the design work by Will, one of our volunteer draughtsmen.
Hind Cylinder Cover Pattern (2)
28/02/2025
	The pattern is about to be flipped over so that the steam port detail can be machined.