Painting

Having assembled the frames, it’s time to give them a bity of protection.  During a persistently damp winter condensation in the tent has been a continual problem.  Sheets over the frames have been the only protection we could provide, but with better weather paint can be safely applied. Keyte Smith’s apprentice Dan and work experience Kobe apply locally-made Dacrylate primer.  Dacrylate have been awarded a Royal Warrant, and are a very reputable company.

Having done the chore of painting, the lads are now working on the manufacture of the four smokebox door dogs.  These clamp the perimeter of the smokebox door to the front of the smokebox.  Made as forgings by the hundred, the LNWR could afford to make expensive dies so the unit cost was minimal.  Our alternative means of making them is to machine them from solid using the modern  computer-controlled milling machine.  As  they lack any significant flat surfaces,  careful planning of the process is essential.  The lads need to produce a 3-D CAD model, translate it into the machine’s system and then set it to work.  Keyte Smith is helping train the next generation of engineers, with the full support of the Trust.

On another front, design work has produced a first draft 3-D CAD model of the cylinder casting.  More on that later!