Wheels

To build and operate a Peppercorn class A1 Pacific steam locomotive

Wheels

3rd July 2008

A red letter day! On 3rd July 2008, Tornado rests on her springs for the first time, exactly 70 years to within an hour since fellow LNER designed locomotive Mallard reached the world steam speed record of 126MPH.

Jacks away! Tornado sits on her own springs for the first time.

16th June 2008

The last of the coupled wheel spring details have been supplied by Ian Howitt and the springs will be fitted in the near future.

Mick Robinson is making good progress with fitting the sanders with some modifications to allow use of the ex class 86 sand traps.

27th May 2008

The bogie spring and side control gear is now fitted.. The coupled wheel springs have been delivered and the coupled wheel spring links have been fitted to the axle/cannonboxes. The springs will not be fitted until the remaining pipe and motion work is complete as they hamper access.

22nd April 2008

Cartazzi axle with springs fitted The bogie and Cartazzi spring gear is now complete. Owens now has the material for the coupled wheel springs which should be ready before the end of April.

The new (thicker) phosphor bronze bearing strips for the bogie crosshead have been delivered by MultiTech and a concentrated effort on the bogie to finish it is planned for the near future.

24th March 2008

The bogie coil springs have been delivered. Ian Howitt has delivered almost all the bogie and side control details – the two side control planks are in manufacture at by ID Howitt at Crofton. The Cartazzi spring hangers are almost finished and delivery is expected shortly. The modified bogie crosshead has been delivered by MultiTech.

19th January 2008

Cartazzi springs delivered Cartazzi and tender springs have been delivered, the bogie coil springs are expected this week. Ian Howitt is making steady progress with the locomotive spring gear.

20th December 2007

Coil springs for the bogie have been ordered. Delivery of the various leaf springs is awaited and Ian Howitt is continuing to produce spring rear details.

22nd October 2007

Spring hanger bolts delivered Ian Howitt has delivered the coupled wheel spring bolts, nuts and locking washers and is progressing with the other items. Owen Springs are on the cusp of delivering the leaf springs. Polytec have almost completed the rubber secondary suspension springs. Ian Matthews is currently painting the bogie and Cartazzi wheelsets

16th September 2007

Ian Howitt is making good progress with the spring gear, and the leaf springs are on order from Owen Springs. The rubber springs are making good progress at Polytec, and coupled wheel spring cups have been ordered from Elsfield Patterns. The bogie and Cartazzi wheelsets have been balanced and are back at DLW.

16th July 2007

Back on wheels The balancing of the coupled wheels was finished successfully just before the deadline for the boiler lift and the wheelsets have been refitted on the frames for what is hoped will be the last time before the loco moves under its own power.

The coupled wheels have been taken back to metal, filled and primed and the undercoat has been applied to the backs of the wheels.

25th May 2007

Trailing wheel set during balancing at Dowding & Mills The trailing wheel set has now been balanced at Dowding & Mills in Middlesborough and the other axles will be going there in the coming weeks.

Here is the wheelset in the process of being balanced

30th March 2007

Drive pulley fitted to coupled axle for balancing The wheels will soon be going for balancing, as part of the preparation for this a pulley has been made so that the wheels can be rotated: