Busy Busy!

Over the last few days it has been busy.  At the weekend there was a conference of the Advanced Steam Technology Trust at Pickering and Grosmont on the NYMR.  On Saturday we had some thought-provoking presentations as heat exchange in the firebox and fluid dynamics of the exhaust.  The highlight was the ride to Grosmont to hear about oil firing of their S 160 Omaha, and to see the system at work as it was lit up.  No brick arch, no ash, and no spark throwing, and much cleaner too.  This system will be one to watch.  Thanks  to the NYMR for their hospitality, we were very well looked after.

On Tuesday it was off to Tyseley for the six-monthly meeting of the Main Line Steam Builders Group, where again there was much useful information exchanged.

On the home front we have been commissioning our new computer.  It works brilliantly, thanks to our local IT man Martin of Cubit Computers in Derby.  Our cylinder models are now good and the tedious but vital process of checking is underway.

On the locomotive we have been developing our process for the accurate reaming of the hornblock holes and some new fixtures are being made up.