WATERLOO SUNRISE: ‘3MT’ TANK TO ROLL FOR ’67 ANNIVERSARY?
Five decades after the last BR ‘3MT’ 2‑6‑2Ts were withdrawn at the end of Southern Region steam in 1967, 2017 is expected to be the year in which the new‑build example reaches an advanced stage of construction ‑ with the ‘rolling chassis’, firebox and boiler coming together. By the time of the Southern anniversary in July, the frames of the Riddles tank engine could be on their wheels at Bridgnorth ‑ with the 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust hoping to attain this milestone in the first half of the year, according to Publicity Officer Chris Proudfoot. If all goes to plan, he added, the shell of the boiler will be completed at Bridgnorth this year, with the firebox and barrel riveted together ‑ while the smokebox is also expected to be assembled. The steel for the tanks was due to be ordered in mid‑January, with construction to take place at Dinas on the Welsh Highland Railway rather than Boston Lodge Works on the Ffestiniog as originally planned, due to space constraints at the latter. It was hoped to wheel the frames during 2016, but delays occurred when the axlebox horn guides were optically measured for alignment, prior to trial‑ fitting the axleboxes in the frames. The dummy axles being used for the purpose were found to be slightly bent, giving inconsistent readings ‑ but acceptable results have now been achieved with new sections of round bar. The surface grinding of the manganese liners for the horn guides and the white‑metalling of the axlebox bearings are already complete, while the bushes for the driving wheel spring hanger pins have been made and fitted. Final preparations are being made to rivet the two sections of the boiler barrel together, with the holes in the joint being reamed to their final size, while the majority of the remaining platework for the firebox is ready for dispatch from the South Devon Railway; the steel outer throatplate is one part still to be pressed. With the expansion link brackets trial‑fitted, thoughts are turning to the production of the reversing gear, with a pattern for the reverser wheel loaned by the ‘Clan’ group.