Patriot progresses

AN alternative supplier for the new axle material that is needed for No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior has now been found. An 18-month lead time was initially expected from the South African supplier, but this has now receded.

After the discovery of cracking on one of the driving wheel pans, it was decided that the other five driving wheels would be tested. These wheels have yet to be shot-blasted before the testing can be carried out. Active liaison with Riley & Son (E) Ltd to get this done is ongoing.

The left-hand side expansion link has been successfully fitted to No. 5551 at West Shed, Butterley and the inside expansion link has been removed for assessment. Face-to-face engineering meetings have now resumed at West Shed for the first time in many months with the easing of restrictions.

The latest meeting, at the end of May, focused on the vital technical assessment and quality assurance reviews which have started with The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust – the main contractor which is assembling No. 5551.

Heritage Boiler Steam Services has completed the task of tooling the lateral stays on the boiler. This work has been steadily underway since the Covid-19 pandemic started, with about 1500 stays tackled over that period. Next will be completion of the slide bars, followed by work on the transverse stays.

Contractor Leaky Finders, which is working on the tender frames for No. 5551 will now move on to the brake shaft support brackets, hand-brake linkage and support brackets.

Donations to the LMS-Patriot Project can be made by visiting www.lms-patriot.org.uk. Membership of the Project or the ‘5551 Club – to get a seat on the first train, can also be made via the website.