Build Diary entries for November 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.

Previous Month

Return to 2025

Partial Bogie Dismantle
03/11/2025
	Hopefully this is the last time that we will dismantle the bogie. We need to do this so that we can machine the axlebox liners to give the correct clearance between the axlebox guides and the cannon axlebox. First job was to borrow some heavy weights from CTL Seal's stock and gently lower them onto the bogie frame just enough to compress the springs. This moves the axleboxes away from the frame keeps so we can remove them.
Partial Bogie Dismantle (2)
03/11/2025
	John has removed the temporary bolts holding the frame keeps on and has removed the keeps.
Partial Bogie Dismantle (3)
03/11/2025
	We wanted to take the load off the springs. By placing some packing pieces between the bottom of the spring and the safety bracket fitted to the bogie frame, the spring could remain in position. In order to remove the cotters on the spring links, we needed to use one of Mike's Enerpac jacks which he has donated to the project. Mike has an adapter with a pip that engages in a recessed dimple on the bottom plate of the spring. With this we could jack up the spring sufficiently to remove the bottom cotter. The concrete block was still resting on the frames so we had something to push against.
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.
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.