First two coupled wheels cast for Small County
THE NEW-BUILD project creating a GWR County 4-4-0 has taken a significant step forward with the casting of the first pair of driving wheels. The four 6ft 81⁄2in coupled wheels have been cast for 3840 County of Montgomery at Trefoil Steel, Sheffield. The first two, for the rear wheelset, use a pattern previously employed to cast the wheels for Saint 4-60 2999 Lady of Legend, loaned by the Great Western Society, Didcot. Trefoil Steel is modifying the pattern to increase the size of the centre boss before casting the second pair.
Fundraising by the Churchward County Trust for the £40,000 to pay for the wheels and their assembly onto axles continues. The bogie wheelsets are complete, meaning the major chassis elements are progressing well. The first of the loco’s new cylinders will be cast by Hargreaves Foundry, Halifax, very soon. For more details please visit www.churchwardcounty.org.uk