Build Diary entries for April 2019

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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Lining up the Stretchers
01/04/2019
	These are the middle and rear cast steel stretchers set up for level on the bed frame - the planks are to protect the ends of the spring hanger legs. Today, we've had an in depth meeting between the CTL Seal Assembly team and the SSLC engineering team. All of the bolt holes on the stretchers, the frame plates and the frame keeps are slightly undersize. They will be reamed or drilled and reamed to size. The intention was to mount the main frame plates onto the stretchers, align and then drill/ream the horizontal and vertical holes. CTL Seal were, rightly, concerned about the drilling of the vertical frame keep pad holes. We've therefore decided to drill/ream the frame keep bolt holes and fit the frame keeps. This will ensure that the stretchers are in the correct place relevant to the axles. Once those have been set up the main frame plates can go into position. Therefore the next step is to accurately machine drill the holes for the frame keeps.
Bogie Wheels arrive on Site
08/04/2019
	The bogie wheels have finally arrived on site in Sheffield from Boro Foundry. Continuing on from last weeks April theme, Keith and Alan apply their highly accurate measuring techniques to the goods inwards inspection! The next step for the wheels is that they will be sent to a specialist rail approved machining shop for machining and fitting of the tyres. If you would like to sponsor the fitting of the tyres, please get in touch
Open Day - Frame Stretchers in Place
27/04/2019
	The 3 cast steel stretchers have been set up on the bed plate and are now the correct distance apart as fixed by the frame keeps. The frame keeps are deliberately upside down at this stage. Once the chassis has been assembled, it will be accurately aligned and then a number of fitted bolts will be placed to lock the alignment. Then the whole assembly will be taken to the machine shop so that the hornguides and frame keeps can be machined.
Assembly Preparation
29/04/2019
	The frame keep bolt holes on the stretchers and the frame keeps have now been drilled and reamed to the correct size. By bolting the frame keeps to the stretchers, the stretchers will be exactly the correct distance apart. Pete from CTL Seal is finishing off the bolt hole job by countersinking a small chamfer in the bolt holes. He is using a drill with a magnetic base. At the weekend, some of our guests at the Open Day pointed out a minor deficiency on the stretchers which will need to be corrected with some build up welding. This is due to take place tomorrow.