Prince painting finished and cab installed Feb 2010.
The Prince Project
by Peter Jackson.
After I worked at Moors Valley Railway as a driver in 1997 I decided that the basic
MVR design of steam engine was the best suited design of engine for a commercial
venture like that at Swanley. In 2000 I had committee approval to begin building
a steam engine that was more than capable of handling the loads on the SNBR.
A very brief discussion with the owner of the MVR and Prince the idea was born. I am
a tall guy at 6' 4" and therefore I wanted some amount of leg room. The less mobile
of the members at the SNBR didn't want an engine they would find hard to get into
so I decided she had to be an open tender steam engine. So she was born. In May 2001
the castings and chassis arrived for what is to be Prince. She will be a 2-4-0 tender
engine based simlar to Sir Goss but without a roofed tender. She will have more power
as well with larger cylinders and a more powerfull boiler. This should make her into
an ideal engine for the SNBR.
Project Prince: running updates:
2/8/2002:
Work has begun on the springing system, the keep plates are in place for the pony and will be done on the drivers once the springing system is fitted.
The con rods are on the drivers and the chasis can roll freely. The next item to be worked on will
be the cylinders probably externally.
11/7/2002:
The chasis now sits on the wheels square, work has begun on the keep plates and springing.
Also the Buffing beam is being measured ready for fitting to "lock" the frames square.
9/4/2002:
The couping rods have had the bearings fitted and will be fitted to frames soon. From here it is hoped to fit the springing and then offer the cylinders. Once this is complete the frames can be bolted together, and work on the valve gear can commence.
20/3/2003:
At present the chasis is being worked and horn blocks fitted to enable her to sit
on her wheels.
25/4/2003: The front and back buffer beams have been drilled and fitted to the frames.
2/6/2003: Spring hangers fitted and chasis pulled around the track for "fitting" purposes, Front pony now being
built. Boiler expected to arrive in 6 weeks. Cylinder drawings are being finalised for off site machining. Tender design also being
drawn up.
1/8/2003: The braking system has been started but due to work on Sir Goss, it is not proceeding as quickly as I would like.
The Tender wheels have arrived, and the bogies will be constructed over the summer and the tender chasis built.
1/1/2004:
The brakes are now all hung, the connecting rods have been designed and should be in place shortly.
the boiler has been painted in red oxide, and once the brakes are finished work on the ashpan will commence to
allow the boiler to sit on the frames. Then the smoke box will be ordered. Cylinders are waiting to be sent off site.
22/4/04:
Brake gear all complete, waiting welding and tightening after ash pan is fitted. Firebox stand to which the ashpan will be bolted to is now
constructed and fixed to the engine. the Smoke Box rings have arrived and the actual box will be rolled shortly.
11/5/04:
Ash pan completed, and awaiting welding to the frames. Boiler offered to the frames for load testing and nothing broke!. Work on the tender to begin soon.
21/7/04
Tender frames welded up and bogies fitted. The rolling chasis has been tested, and work on the foot well has begun. The firebox door is also
in process of being made. The smoke box rings have been turned down for a smoot finish, and the smoke box is being rolled shortly. The order for the tender sides
will be going in soon. It is hoped to have the tender fully finished by October.
2/9/04:
Well work has come along of late, the frames have been dismantled for drilling for the cylinder holes. The cylinders themselves are still waiting to be sent
away for machining, but finding someone to do this is proving hard, at present. The smokebox is about 40% complete, and all the laser cut parts for the tender are on
order and are expected in a few weeks. So it is still optomistic to have the tender complete by the end of October. Once the holes for the cylinders are in place, the frames will be
put together for hopefully the final time, with the brakes and ashpan fitted until they need replacing. the boiler will be mounted so that the smokebox can be completed. Then the fun begins, with the
cylinders needing to be machined and worse after that the valve gear needs building, and the plumbing for the engine will then commence. Although at present she now looks like a bag of bits, when the frames, wheels and
boiler are all re-united, she should resemble something on the lines of a steam engine. I am hoping that the motion and cylinders will be completed by June 2005. so now that I have set a date, I had better get it done!!!
8/10/04
Well I am sitting here still waiting for the tender parts to arrive (only 3 weeks late so far!). I am in debted to Chris Johnson who has nicely designed the valve gear for Prince, and hopefully over the coming weeks we
will build a cardboard mock of the valve gear to test, and hopefully to be templates of the real gear.
I have started work on the smokebox stand as well.
3/11/04
Smoke box work is progressing very well but also very slowly, so far the door is nearly complete and the stand has been made but needs fitting.
8/12/04 work is progressing on the smoke box, front plate work and pony, amazingly the cylinders have been sent off for machining (please don't faint). Tender parts are still expected, but I am not going to hold my breath to much.
2005
25/1/05 work is nearing completion on the smoke box and its stand. Delivery of the tender parts is expected at the beginning of February, although the supplier has taken 3 months so far and has never delivered on time yet (am I getting synical?). The front bogie plunger
design is waiting welding to the frames, and I can confirm that the cylinders are at the machinists for working on. The Steam chest is likley to be milled in the coming weeks as well as the covers for the cylinders. I am hoping with a fair wind, that the I will be in a position to make the
valve gear this year. I am aiming to have the engine in steam by Christmas this year, however with the way suppliers go, I might still be waiting for parts this time next year!
28/2/2005 Prince's tender body construction has now started and is progressing fairly well. The cylinders have been faced and are in the process of being bored and ported. The steam chest machining has started as well. The smoke box has all the parts to be completed, and is justing waiting for some
welding and a chimney pipe. All in all a good month of work has occured on the engine. With the expected completion date varying from 12 - 24 months. Although it is worth noting, that people are now talking about the engines completion date and not "that will never be built!" which is nice to hear, and funny to note. The boiler cladding
is being measured for design, and I suspect this will be fitted in a few months, hopefully the chimney will be on and then she will look like a steam engine even more. I expect to have the tender completed by mid-April, and hope to have most of the work done on the cylinders during this time as well. I have pencilled in Mid July for Cylinders
fitting to the Frames and with an even fainter pencil August as the month the valve gear will started. If everything goes to plan the valve gear will be the final job finished (however me and plans!!!). Scarily I wrote out all the remaining jobs to do on the engines and the list was 40 items long and 1 item was "build the valve gear". I do however expect to
have at least 10 items of that list by the end of March... Well that's the plan (see previous comment and plans and me!)
28/3/2005
As shown above the tender has been constructed (well OK not sealed) but the major part is done. The smoke box stand has been made and will be fitted shortly. Work on the cylinders continues with the steam chests being milled flat.
Work on the cylinders will continue on my next visit to the MVR.
8/6/2005
The tender is nearing final completion excluding the outside paint work. Work on the cylinders continues slowly, but at least it continues. At the moment the steam ports are being "adjusted". Work on getting Mallard back on the track and a fair amount of work on other engines, has meant progress has been slower of late. However the "time off" from the project has meant I am now fully recharged to get on
with it all again.
8/7/2004
The tender has been put in the loco shed, and work begins on fixing Sir Goss. (oh well prince will have to wait for a bit!) however, work on the front bogie has now got underway and is going well. The cylinder front plates have been machined and faced and are ready to be mounted onto the cylinders when everything else on the cylinders have been completed.
For amusement value Prince was turned to face Sir Goss, and an interesting comparison of too similar looking engines. With the smoke box on prince being substantially smaller, and the smoke box door being fitted. Pictures will follow in due course.
an order to a laser cutter (not the one that did the tender parts) has gone on for some of the valve gear parts. This should arrive in a couple of weeks, but with other work continueing there isn't a lot of rush at the moment. I am hoping to have the front Bogie fully finished in the next couple of weeks, and with a good wind behind me, maybe this weekend.
1/8/05
Well work has started on Goss' boiler so my work on prince has been limited of late. However the front pony has been fully decked out and fitted with springs, the "rubbing plate" has been fitted to the engine as well, allowing the bogie when attached to the pivot point to keep the engine on the track. The cylinders have seen some progress. the pistons have been faced, and next job is to think about how to turn them to fit!!! - scary for me! Luckily on hand is a lathe working guru, who is happy to advise and show me the errors of my way (phew!). a start on the regulator handle has been made, and
other odd jobs have been done around the engine. The laser cutter managed to get the bits turned round in a matter of weeks (this one comes recommended unlike the guy who did the tender!) and look as you would expect amazing. Cylinders are now the important priority as the front pony and valve gear cannot really be fully fitted until the cylinders are in place.
Prince as she looks on the 1st August 2005.
16/8/05
Work has progressed on little things like the pony and the pistons.
9/9/05
Hold your breath... Work on the cylinders has started properly. The pistons have been drilled, and next week it may be possible to attach the pistons to the piston rod. Although still weeks and weeks to go, at least the job has started.
To pass the time, the regulator handle is progressing at a steady pace. The fusable plug has been ordered (at the same time as a new one for Goss).
I have worked out the pivot point of the pony, and once the cylinders are mounted the pivot point bracket will be constructed. I have also started to sketch out the shape for the cab, and hopefuly will get this ordered around christmas time.
Another plus is that the piping for the manifold has been worked out, and work may start on this, in the odd free moments. Goss boiler repairs are nearing completion so it may be possible to spend a few weekends straight playing with Prince until the winter track works begins and takes up a lot of time.
29/9/05
Work on the pistons have started, the regulator handle is made and things are slowly coming together.
18/10/05
Well work continues on the pistons as time and Sir Goss allows. The smoke box stand is almost complete and other minor jobs have been moved forward. The pressure gauge and remaining water gauge have now arrived, and I have some rough designs for the cab, but along way off deciding which one as yet.
14/11/05
I am presently spending my time turing up the pistons, this is slow process, but I am optomistic of getting these done in good time. I have created a vast amount of swarf of late, and I am sure loads more is on its way.
16/12/05
Despite the gruelly schedule of getting Goss finished for the Santa's and a bit help (not a lot at all really) to The Rosie team, I am
startled to report that the first piston is finished (yes the grin on my face say's it all). As shown by the picture above. If everything hold together I might even
get the next one done next week. Then I can do the covers and the dreaded steam chest I would think comes after that. I am learning lots and with out the resident lathe wonderman (Mr Beevers) then
this type of job would have scared the hell out of me. Instead I am learning new things and having great fun, creating lots and lots of swarth. The Gauge glass fitting are not mounted on the boiler, and as soon
as see my next door neighbour I am hoping my cladding will be rolled to the right size. It is all very exciting stuff at the moment.
10/1/2006
Firstly happy new year to all that read this site. I am sure you will be glad to know that the cylinders are progressing, with the front covers now fixed to the cylinders and both pistons machined to fit its cylinder.
Work on the dreaded back covers start this week, and I hope will progress in a similar steady fashion.
10/2/2006
The coal shute for the tender has now been made and installed to the tender. Designs for the water filler cap have been made and work started. The rear of the coal bunker is shaped and almost ready to install.
Once these items are finished, the tender will have its water feed pipes fitted, and tested for leaks. Hopefully it will not leak and she can then be finally put together and await painting. As for the "chuffing bits" or cylinders? Well,
now the front covers are finished, the rear covers are machines and now need drilling and tapping to fit the cylinder block. Some milling will be required to them as well, but impressively the cylinders now look like cylinders. Soon the steam chest work
will begin I think.
24/2/2006
Firstly the tender has been tested for water retention. No water leaks, hurray. I have constructed the hinged water filler cap, which looks a bit crude, so I will "veneer" it and make it look a bit prettier (hopefully).
The first brass steam seal to push the packing in to rear steam chest cover was machined up last night. It took longer to cut the casting in two than it did to machine one of them up. The under side of the tender roof has now been painted, so
next week the tender roof can be fitted to the tender, bolted on and prep for painting can start.
26/3/2006
Well the brass seals are finished for the cylinders. The tender is now fully primed, and needs its piping finished. The boiler has been removed from the frames so that I
can weld the underside of frames, and all those pieces I will never get to again. The boiler cladding is due to arrive the end of next month. The cab design is now getting nearer to its finished design.
The christmas tree manifold is now basically in place, and gives an idea of where all the controls will be. The next job is the chimney and the steam chest. Both of which are going to take a lot of time to machine.
I am for the first time bang on the schedule I set myself in January, and I hope to move in front of the schedule over the next few weeks - fingers crossed.
20/4/2006
Firstly the boiler cladding has been rolled and some "alterations" are needed to hole placements, but nothing to major (I hope). The boiler is off the frames and the frames have been turned over so I can weld some of the bits on underneath. Hopefully only one more upside
occassion to go. The steam chest milling has started and should take up the next few weeks, but on the plus side, it should not be long before the cylinders are completely finished (This was expected to be end of June\July!).
16/5/2006
Well looking back the last 4 weeks has actually been quite fruitful. First the chimney, well after finishing I discovered I made it 3" too long, so I will have to re-machine the pipe again, oh well!. The front pony pivot mounting
plate is now made, and work will start on finally finishing the pony (hurray). Pete Beevers has drawn up the mock cab, and that should be going on order very soon. The platework has been started for the running board, and the front middle plate
finally finished (it sounded a small job, but it really isn't). The firebox cladding cover has been altered and now fits, only to discover that the barrel is about 2mm to long, so some work with an angle grinder is expected soon as well.
My next few jobs are to continue the attack on the cylinders and steam chest, and I still aim to have these completed by the end of June\July. I am also now getting the itch to make the reversing lever, I don't know why that has the agenda, but it something to do!
On the observational front, It is quite interested to chart the changes of average people's attitude. 3+ years ago I was told I would never build it, 2 years ago it was going to be built, Last year people were asking when it would be finished (I have a date in my head but I am not going to
write it down in case I fail - or more likely Goss does!), to now the most common question is what colour are you going to paint "her". Well for those 10 or so people who avidly read this site, it will be either LNER apple green (Flying Scotsman proper colour!, Or a Souther Railway green, or a very deep Red something a kin
to the Dark Crimson lake of the LMS). I have also welded the brake arm, and now that is for want of a better word, set in stone. However testing of the brakes has shown it should work. I also have to note, that my rather cunning idea of the lengthening the cab to make the engine look bigger so the tender does not seem so huge
(hench is apparently the word from the younger members!) seems to also have worked, when we looked at it with the paper cut out.
26/5/2006
Oh dear, alarm bells are ringing I have fallen behind the schedule (first time this year). Mainly due to fixing other engines, track and odd bits here and there. On the plus side the cab bits have arrived. I couldn't resist mocking them up, and "oh my word" she is a beautiful monster. (Biased me never!).
Work continues on those cylinders, and I am still optomistically hopeful of getting my cylinders onto the frames by the end of July (Optomistic is the word here!). I have 1 weld left to do and the pony is complete. Sadly that's all I have to report!
26/7/2006
Well I am still behind schedule, Goss and Mallard failures have eaten into my schedule, but I have clawed back some time. Driver side cylinder is not almost complete, and one thing I know is that the next cylinder will not take anywhere near as long. I keep on meaning to take pictures of the rough assembled cab, for the website,
so we can see the engine in all its predicted glory and rather too long chimney. I have managed to cut up some of the angle to hold the cab together so at least other bits of work have started as well.
17/9/06
I have fallen behind schedule, but no great shock there. The frames have been altered to allow the pony to swing properly (easier said than done). The cylinders edge closer and closer to completion, which
is a slow process, made slower by me! The boiler barrell cladding has been altered and now should fit, and after welding the cab together, I noticed that I had done it slightly out of square so had to "break" the welds. The pressure gauge has been
fitted to the cab, mainly so I could feel like something major had happened. Whistle location was going to be in front of the cab, but my new feeling is this should be on the dome. I am looking forward to finishing the cyliners so I can get them
bolted on finally, and then start the valve gear, which I am really looking forward to doing, as it is the last major job with the mill and lathe.
26/9/06
I have just realised that I am 4 holes and 3 jobs on the lathe away from mechanically finishing the cylinders - end is in sight. Next job after that is the "hours and hours" to get them on the Frames and in the right place.
Prince with her cab mocked up on her!
16/10/06
Well the really hard work on the lathe is over for the cylinders "rejoice". I am now busy on the mill and have started 1 cross head and 1 steam chest top hat. So everything is going smoothly again although behind schedule.
I have posted a picture of what Prince will look like above. Once the "top hats" are machined and the two remaining drain cock holes are tapped, I am going to start the long job of fitting them to the frames. Estimated time to just fit them to the
frames is about 10 hours. So I suspect that is nearer 15-20 hours. I might get the cab welded up this week, just to do something that isn't the normal mill or lathe.
8/12/06
Well Goss as is common this time of year has taken up a fair amount of my time, and so has relaying 70metres of track ready for the Santa Specials. However some items have progressed. Firstly the
brake handle has been cut by the laser cutter and I now need to make the upright. I keep on longingly looking at the cab, and I hope to weld this up over the Santa Special season (other engine repairs not counting). I have also been working on a clever bit of plate
that will help line up the holes in the frame to that of those in the cylinder... Well so my theory goes, time will tell?!? Lets hope the planned retube of rosie after the Santa's doesn't take too much of my time!!!
12/01/07
Well Santa's have finished, and the Owd Rosie re-tube beckons. However I have welded up the sides of the cab (hurray) and a fine looking cab it is too. Work on the special mounting plate for the cylinders has also progressed, and I may even have the first cylinder on the engine by the next update.
On a slightly different subject, the Mallards boiler is in need of serious repair, and the work on this boiler may well give me more work to do outside of Prince.
21/02/2007
I am just 6 hours away of finishing the drivers side Cylinder block to the frames (6 hours is roughly how long it takes to drill the remaining 6 holes).
It is certainly starting to come together.
19/3/2007
Well the holes to fit the drivers cylinder are done, but I now need to drill the holes for the steam pipe. I have managed to drill a hole in the tender for piping the water from the outlet pipe to the engine... (its just drilling at the moment really!).
10/4/2007
One cylinder can now be fitted to the frames, getting on with finishing the cross head for the cylinder so I can mount it semi permanently. Also taken the opportunity to do some painting on the frames. Still plodding along making progress (slowly though)
19\4\2007 - bonus update!
today for absolutely no reason I thought I would read through this page - What a laugh. I had forgotten half the things I had done and the pain of it all - but in a good way (character building possible). So I thought I would put this extra update in, mainly because this
page seems to have a bit of a cult following (you are all mad do you know that MAD... Not as mad as me obviously!). As you will no doubt have noted I refer to my famous schedule a lot, and in fairness this really does exist, and sits in my little folder at home. Every few months I re-wrtie the schedule, but by the first schedule
I am now 2.5 years late finishing the engine (and no valve gear has been started yet), but now in my wisdom I have learnt why... A because I drink too much Tea, B I only get time to work on Prince on a Thursday night, often after a depressing\gruelling or bad day at work and or the odd weekend C: When you then
add on Goss fixing time (sadly this is now in my schedule!) I am somewhat amazed I get anything done. Solution I hear you cry... Stop drinking Tea. Rumour has it I would die if I did that? So to all you lovely readers, thank you for the support and encouragement I get over the email. Also to those people
that ask really odd questions, they always welcome, I may not know the answer though? So what of progress. Well after drilling out those damned holes (the most boring job I have ever suffered) I thought I would have a break and mill some more of the cross heads. So that's what I am doing now. I am going to do one cross head, fix it to the cylinder, polish up the steam chest valve and slightly machine it (I realised I forgot a part of it!) and put that
cylinder on the engine. Then repeat for the other side. Who knows when this will be done, but the "famous" schedule says I should have all this done by the summer. Realistically probably Autumn. either way, it is still the most enjoyable thing I have ever built, and she will be built when she is built. I would say watch this space, but I know you all do, and I will keep on updating it with progress in my own (poor grammar and even worse spelling) way. Before I go, I am also very pleased to
say that the other engine being built for the SNBR is progressing, and will no doubt see the light of day before me, the reason why I mention it is that the builder of Jim, has been a real rock of motivation, advice and just all round great bloke, so Doc, thank you.
11\5\2007
Cross head is all set up to be drilled and bored to then mount on to the piston rod, Expected to drill 1 of the 3 remaining holes over the next few weeks in the tender, and then get it off for painting.
20\6\2007
Cross head number 2 has been progressing, with the first one now fitted with a bearing. Work on getting Romulus ready and other gala activities have given me a pleasent rest from all things Prince. Now fully refreshed, she has returned to the top of the agenda.
19\7\07
Another month and another update. The cross heads are continueing very well, the hand brake handle has been made, and engine brakes are nearing completion. Some minor work has occured on the piping to the engine from the tender. So all in all good progress. The cab is resting on the engine to all
ergonic design of the brake handle position to be managed, it also makes me realise what a monster I am building. Over the next month, time is likely to be limited, but I hope to finish the milling of the cross heads, and even to get the brake finished.
20\8\07
I have finally finished the milling of the cross heads (hurray!). Unfortunately got to bore them now, as well as some bits of drillings, but then it will be done. Some minor work has occured on the brakes, and I will no doubt finish this soon. My next "major" job is 20 hours of drilling to fit the other cylinder to the frames, not including the other 5 - 10 hours work, tapping the holes in
the cylinder to mount it on the frames. However (and with a big sigh). I am reliable informed that these are the most labour intensive jobs, so after that, bit should appear on the engine far quicker (famous last words!).
28/9/07
Plate to drills the holes for the last cylinder has now been welded to the frames, so drilling starts at my next visit. The Reverser handle has moved forward, and actually works, I need to just put on some "stainless" to make the grip part look nicer and then that is done as well. Cross heads only require oil holes to be drilled and then they are done too.
I have also completed the front pony (hurray)! So basically a lot of progress has been made and a huge step forward has been made. Next jobs are to finish drilling the holes for the cylinders and then the chuffing bits can be fitted (state or shock!). Then I am planning to turn down the chimney to the right length and finally fit this to the smoke box (and another tick in the box complete). The brake handle
has been finished (hurray), and once the running plate has been placed on the machine the final weld can be added and she will have stopping ability. Cab roof is awaiting to be rolled, and then the cab can be finally fitted. Of course once the cylinders are connected to the cross head (finally) then the work on the valve gear can begin.
2/11/07
Its amazing what can happen in a month, firstly the man flu - yes I got it and I didn't get much done, but on the plus side. Reverser arm completed, minus the pivot hole.
The holes for the cylinders are done. The cross head sliders are partially made, the piston rod is awaiting a M16 die so the cross heads, and motion bracket can be fitted for good! (scary). Some valve gear work has started, namely the small end folk has been made, ready for "fixing" into final position once cross head it fitted and
cylinders bolted on. The running plates for the fireman side have also commenced, and mighty fine they look too. Amazing how useful the chimney has become, for bending curves into metal. Next projects are: gaskets all round the cylinders (I suspect this will take longer than I think), fixing cylinders to frames (ditto), Fixing crosshead to picton rod (I suspect ditto too), fixing motion bracket...
I have also dug out the return crank for machining. Somewhere on the list is finishing the chimney too!
5/12/07
After completing mucking up my first return crank, I am now working on number 2 and a replacement to the first one I mucked up. More plate work has progressed, but due to other committments namely track work and a trip to cornwall not as much has been done since the last update, but at least things are progressing.
27/12/07
Number 2 crank completed, replacement crank almost finished, so not a "useless" December this year (phew!). Piston to Cross heads are now nearing the horizon, so its all go on the valve gear. The bearing for the reverser is now in, and it works too. So "every little" helps. As is normal for December I spent a lot of time working on the Santa's with more than a usual amount of time spent driving this year, due to a lack of
steam drivers on certain days, but as I got to drive Tinkerbell (my favourite engine) certainly no complaints from me. On the plus side, on some days we had plenty of drivers, hence I got more done than normal over the Santa's. So all in all not bad.
2008
04/02/08
January was month to truly forget, and oh how I wish I could, but being optomistic February will be great!!!. Firstly I have to make new piston rods (well Pete B hopefully will for me, but if not I will be),
and the first remake didn't turn out too successful. Then I broke a tap deep inside the finished cross head, and it refuses to come out, so a cunning plan is being
devised... Hopefully not meaning I have to machine a new one, but I think it will be OK with plan two!. The only good news is one cylinder fitted on the frames OK, but the bad news is the
bolts were slightly too long, so a bit of cutting is needed before I can count those chickens either... On a positive note, I have the weekend(s) alternate back to get on with Prince, as the
track work I was working on is finished... and I have the sore back, to prove it.
18/2/2008
Well as the last post was so depressing, I thought I would post something with some good news. One cylinder block is now on and at the right width. A heavy job. The cross head and (new) piston rod is in as well. The other side to work on now for the next
few weeks.
20/3/2008
One motion bracket bracket and one set of slide bars are on the engine (this being the fireman side), and all is going well so far. Work progresses on the valve gear some more over the next month.
Prince slide bars being mounted on fireman side of the engine
Prince's Reverser handle mocked up in the cab.
31/3/2008
The expansion links are coming together nicely, and should be finished this week (Thankfully). The fireman side motion bracket has 4 holes left to be drilled and then this is on "full time". As the Camera's have been out of late, here is a picture of Prince
in the workshop. Prince in the workshop, on the right of the cab you can see the brake handle, which is cunningly designed to allow fingers and hands not to get caught on the cab side (unlike Sir Goss). Also note the rather impressive
pressure gauge
9/5/08 New cross head completed, and motion bracket on drivers side being fitted. Roof for cab is being rolled, and will be fitted on it's return.
9/6/08 The motion bracket and slide bars on the driver side have now been fitted, coupling rods have been painted on both sides. Work on the valve gear is now progressing.
1/7/08 The con rods have now been made and fitted, and the engine rolled perfectly (I really did almost faint). The brakes have been tested and shown to work, although needs fitting to the running boards. The pony truck has been painted and fitted
and is not in place hopefully forever more (never works like that though does it). The next job is the slide valve rod and its fitting the cross head slide bars, all exciting stuff. The Chimney is still getting on my nerves, and I will attack this before long.
The Cross heads pinning to the piston rod is also on the soon to do list, which should be fun. All in all a good bit of progress this month.
24/7/08 Slide valve and slide valve rod are being worked on at the moment, which the milling of the valve is a slow and tedious process, but still good fun.
11/8/08 Well this will be last update for a few weeks, as I am having a holiday (those that know me can now feint!). So to make up for this lack of time, I have worked hard. The slide valves are now nice and smooth, and the slide valve rod is
made. This will need to be cut to length when I return, and slide valve machined to take it (sounds a lot of work, but it doesn't look that complex!). The combination lever has really come along, with both over 50% completed, if not more. The radius bar has also
been started. Just to get something different done, one of the running boards has been fitted, this is so I can at a later date mark out where the lifting arm and other holes will be. However it is all good progress, and in the right direction.
1/9/08 Back from my holidays, and managed to get a bit done on the radius rod (finished boring and pushed in the bearing) and did some work on the expansion link as the folk for the radius rod was a little tight. The steam chest rods packing gland is the next job on my list, along with the
union link.
15/9/08 As shown by the picture my very able apprentice (or to be precise one of the jniors who likes helping - Im hoping he doesn't convert to the dark side!) The coal bunker has received some nice metal straps as an addition, which really have added something to the tender. On top of this the valve gear has been worked on further. With the expansion link nearing completion, ready for the radius rod to be fitted. The delightful valve gear program on line, (from a source now forgotten) has
shown the valve gear should work (hurray!). So that has been a welcome result. The slide valve will be drilled and ready to fit over the next few "railway work" days. Which means that the combination lever can be fitted too.
18/9/08 Part of the tender now painted (scary!). the expansion link is now finished, but the ears for it to rock in are next on the list. I will also be working on the steam valve while I wait a few bits for the ears to be delivered from the laser cutter.
10/10/08 One set of ears now made and work has started to mount this on the motion bracket, the running board needs to be milled to allow the top of the eccentric to move easily (at least I now know where the name plate goes!!!). The fireman side ears will be machined on delivery, and the union link bracket to the cross head will be started this weekend (if all goes to plan, and the missing panel of track "we have been vandalised" is laid quickly enough). Oh and the CHIMNEY is finally the right height!
11/11/08 Well driver side valve gear is now complete except for Steam valve nuts, lifting link and eccentric rod. The Cab roof is really progressing now. Reach rod is likely to be next on the list, along with the cab roof.
16/12/08 Valve gear for the fireman side is now progressing. The motion bracket is now fitted properly (rather than a silly angle - shocking of me I know!), a few pins and rods have been made, and work on fitting them will commence over the next 4 weeks. The roof is waiting delivery of the new
SNBR welder before I weld it to the cab, but the back support has been made (and adjusted). So it should be all go!!! Work for the next 2 weeks will be keeping Goss, Tinkerbell (sigh!), Owd Rosie and Mallard in service for the remaining Santa services and of course the CHARITY EVENT (PLEASE COME ALONG!).
30/12/08 Firstly Happy New Year.... Well 2009 is hopefully a good year for Prince, and hopefully even an air tested engine this side of the summer (well I can hope!). Well as expected the Santa's kept me busy, tightening leaky tubes in Tinkerbell and the odd bit of work on Rosie, but in general all good this year. A few pins were made as well, and more could have been done if the dreaded man flu hadn't have hit. Still 2009 is fast approaching, and my abled apprentice has told me "We have to get it done for the next Santa's". So I guess I had better obey. The agenda for the foreseable is all
around finishing off the motion. I would like to have this done before March, but I suspect I will nearer July\August. Still no harm in trying. So happy new year, and the next update should have a few things ticked off the list... Well I can hope!
2009
5/1/2009
Well the New Year has started with a lot of activity. For the fireman side of the engine the combination lever is finished, the ears to run the finished eccentric are finished. It might not sound a lot, but its a large chunk of the valve gear ready
to be fitted over the next week or two.
3/2/2009
A lack of time this month has seen a reduced amount of progress, but the important thing is progress has been made. The lifting link arm for both sides has been made. The arm on the rod that connects this altogether has also been put together, and needs rounding to a nice steam engine shape. The roof of the cab needs some minor moving before welding, but now the new welder has arrived it will not be long.
The missing holes on the driver side gear are now in. (yippee). On the tender the holes for the water pipe have been tapped through the front frame, ready for the union to be fitted. Valve gear, roof and Tender to engine coupling are what I will be concentrating on. I am not happy with my ash pan, so the boiler will be lifted to make the alterations I have in mind.
4/3/2009
Progress is Progress!!! Well the fireman side valve gear is just shy of being in the same place as the drivers valve gear (drop link, union link, combination link, expansion link) radius rod needs setting to exactly 10" but the rod is made, and depending how my coach frame building goes tonight, might even be done tonight (fingers crossed) All the missing bearings have been bought, and the start of the piping for the
regulator and exhaust has arrived. The lifting rods are completed weigthing welding at the end of construction. she is looking like a steam engine more and more, which is good! List for the coming month, mainly finish VALVE GEAR... which means the eccentric Crank and rod need to be finished, and it sounds simple doesn't it!!! My aim is to air test before June... lets hope these coach frames don't take too long then!?!
Other work I will be concentrating on is, Dome outlet to cylinder (including regulator valve), and positioning the whistle on the cab, and the drain cock assembly. In theory all the parts for these other 3 areas I now have, and I hope my apprentice has time to help, as it would be nice to get these done fairly soon, as it allows all the holes in the cab to be made, which is easier to do before I weld the roof on (the ultimate goal!). On top of all this
we have been adjusting the tender coupling to locomotive. This is going to be more MVR than I originally made, a secondary floor plan has been cut, and although a back ground task work has progressed. We also want to alter the seat system on the tender which will done at the same time... however these are "back ground" tasks to the main Valve Gear work and coach frames that I am concentrating my available time on. I am also hoping that the air testing
will be about the time to lift the boiler off, to allow my alterations to the ash pan, these are not that major and should only take about 2 days effort but should cure a blatent mistake I made!!!
31/3/2009
The drivers side valve gear is nearly all complete. Hopefully it should be finished in the next two weeks.
13/4/2009
Valve gear (minus a little bit of welding) is complete (yes I am in shock as well). The reverser is fitted, and works perfectly (shocking) and needs it groves put in now. I am going to take the boiler off next, to sort out my ash pan, and add in some grate tags (apparently a fire would be useful!). With
the boiler off I can also put in the pipe work for the cylinders (easier without the boiler). So not to long for an air test!!! I will try and get some photo's soon as well.
8/5/2009
The boiler is off the frames, and areas un-painted have had a coat of hamerite where you wont see it. The pipe work is thus about to start.
16/6/2009
The T's (swept and normal) joining the exhaust and inlet steam have been fitted, so the pipe work is progressing. 3 notches in total have been added to reverser (a fair few more to go), but it is progressing.
The drain cocks are also progressing very well, with the drivers side drain cocks now fitted and waiting piping and a lever to operate them, the fireman side are constructed and should be fitted to the engine
in the next week or so.
22/6/2009
The drain cocks and the control system to them (minus last part of handle) are now in, and seem to work. work on the fireman side running board has commenced which I want to complete before stripping
the valve gear (again), putting on the piston rings, and gaskets and re-assembling. Then its the air test!!!
15/7/09
Well first side has had a ring added and the gasket, and needs putting back together, then its the otherside, hopefully over the coming weekend, then the dreaded air test. a slight re-work of the piping to and from the
cylinders has been completed too.
21/7/09 rings are on, gaskets now all on, some minor alteration to the valve gear needed as I put it back together on the fireman side slightly wrong. This will be corrected on thursday night. Then planning for the air test, and any work needing
doing will occur after that (hopefully not too much). Then it will be putting the boiler back on and finishing off those "little jobs" before starting the piping up.
5/8/2009 AIR TEST 100% successful... Now its, platework (cab/running boards) painting, piping and coupling and the tender seat to go...!
18/8/2009 Cab has been cut to allow the reverser rod to run through and the drain cock handle. Whistle stand has also been made. the fireman side running board has been drilled and positioned on the engine.
1/9/2009 Driver side platwork over cylinder completed (hurray)! Whistle mounted to cab, and the old seat height mounts have been removed.
29/9/2009 The brake handle mounting has been finally fitted meaning the brakes are now finished. The regulator handle and braket has been started and will be a pull to open type. The cab roof has been attached to the cab and painted, and the brakets to hold it the running board have been finished and fitted. The plate work over
the cylinders have been finished, and all that remains for the running boards is to shape the back end of the cab part which has been started and drill the holes required for the injector pipes. The cab also needs holes drilled for the pipe to the blower and ejector. The new improved coupling system to the engine and tender has been started
and will continue to be worked on, along with piping and painting. Which seems to be all that is left (oh yes and to make some grates!). Once painting has started I will hopefully update the pictures.
9/11/09 The winter track work and platform relaying programme has reduced my available time, but progress has been made. 2 different reds have been tried, and neither of them look right, but a 3rd
red has been sourced, and this should be perfect. The windows brass frames are not fitted and look great. the platework is finished other than the cylinder covers, which are cut, bent and just need fitting to
the cylinders. The parts for the regulator handle have been ordered. The blast pipe nozzle now needs finishing and the pipe work completed. Not too long to go, in the 8 years so far!!!
16/12/2009 The Red engine (as she is fast becoming) now sports a second coat of red on her tender and 1st coat on most of the engine. Regulator and steam pipe now fully fitted, and the regulator is huge and seems to be
very popular with the members. Work continues as Steam engine brake downs (Owd Rosie and Sir Goss) over the Santa season allow. Hopefully the blower pipe will be fitted this week and a start made to the injector pipe work. As I am unlikely to
do another update before 2010, then let me say HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Please come and support our 2nd ever steam engine only charity day...
21/12/2009 Well as it snowed I had to get the pics up on the website, so here is a small update. Painting continues well, and the red is very well liked by all. Her blower pipe from cab to smoke box has been fitted. Peter B came up with an excellent manifold design which has been taken forward (genius in fact).
Painting will be the main work for the next few weeks I suspect (outside of fixing Owd Rosis, Sir Goss and the Charity day!). Once again Merry Christmas.
29/12/2009
Showing the colour of prince, although the picture makes it look a lot browner than it is actually in the flesh (and light). So far the rear boiler cover is completed and fitted to the engine. With everything else needing at least 1 or more
coats of paint. Slowly but surely she is nearing completion.
3/1/2010
Prince now has it boiler wrapper fitted with 1 of the boiler bands finished, 1 3/4 complete and 1 still need finishing. 1 running board has been painted, and the smoke box, smoke box door and chimney have been painted in stove enamal. 1 hole of 4 has been driled for the engine to tender coupling (so it will be welded and bolted).
17/1/2010
All the boiler bands are now fitted. Red paint has been applied to all the red bits, and lining commences this week!. Inside of the cab is now receiving paint, and the running boards have been painted too. The regulator handle has been rounded and the rear coupling bloack has been fitted but needs slightly longer bolts to be fitted finally.
The reverser stand is also almost complete with the last slot needing finishing. The Safety valve should arrive this week too. The pipes for the water feed from the tender have also arrived and will hopefully be fitted soon. Once the inside of the cab is finished, the cab can be fitted fully and then the manifold can be fitted fully. Allowing pipe work
to commence. The back of the boiler needs a coat of stove enamel and this should be done fairly soon too. the front coupling block will also be machined in the near future and fitted.
>
22/1/2010
As the above picture shows the painting is really progressing, with the lining on the tender now started.
31/1/2010
All the lining on the tender and cab is finished with cylinder covers all that remains. The tender water pipe work has started, and a block to make a blast nozzle has ben sourced.
12/2/2010
Well here are some pictures of the engine now the cab is finished and installed on the engine (a handsome beast says I). Also now fitted is the pipe work from manifold to whistle and the blower pipe to the smoke box, which means the copper pipe work has
really started. Enjoy the picture!
Pete (Left) and Glen (right) joke for the camera after weeks of painting. In order left to write Pete (poor bloke who builds it), Glen who helps and paints, Nathan "Dobby" a fellow helper, Nathan coach expert and big helper, Duane a helper. unfortunately missing from the pic due to not being there are Robin, the other Pete and the Govenor Chris
24/2/2010
Drivers side pipework from tender water outlet to tender tap has been completed. Drivers side steam injector pipe has been run. 1 way valves (clack valves) to be ordered shortly. Front coupling is progressing, and I hope to have this installed fairly soon. Regulator has been painted and installed.
Blast nozzle has been made and fitted to the engine, and so has the smoke box part of the blower. Spark arrestor has been started and again hope to have this installed shortly. work over the next week will concentrate on the pipe work, to try and meet a boiler exam deadline. Name plates and makers plates
have now been designed and approved, and should be ordered later this week for Arrival in May. Immediate jobs to do this week, will be to finish up the water pipes of the tender to the engine, and then the pipe work for the injectors.
28/2/2010
Well after a long hard slog this weekend, and my first ever bit of silver soldering, these are now the jobs left:
1. Water pipe to injector, from "hose" connection.
2. Water tap handles in the tender
3. Front coupling to be fitted to the engine (coupling block drilled and ready though)
4. fit gauge glasses
5. Fit drain cock handle
6. Make and fit spark arrestor
7. Fit name plates and makers plates once they arrive in May!
8. Paint tender seat area and front buffer beam
9. Fit lubricator
10. Fit snifter valve
11. Fit boiler plugs (on order)
12. Fit cylinder gland packing
13. Make tender seat
14. Make grates for firebox
15. Fit Ejector and all vacuum fittings!
I can't think of anything else, so to get to Boiler test not a lot left to do, to run it a little bit more. It edges ever nearer....
5/3/2010
A busy bee I have been. From the above list now completed are: Water pipe to injector, water tap handles and all the boiler plugs (including fusible plug). Left now to do before the boiler can be tested is:
1. Fit gauge glasses and 2 make some grates. So the boiler can be tested in the next few available railway days. Once I am at this point, the packing on the cylinders, lubractor and snifter valve
will be done next to allow it to be "chuffed" tested. Then it the seat and Ejector which will mean she can hopefully see some use over the Easter holidays (pipe dreams I expect).
I am expecting a fair few teething problems, but the plan remains for her to make the Tinkerbell rally at Moors Valley Railway in May! seperate to this my painting buddy (See pics above) is busily
painting the front buffer beam, and the dome cover. We plan to do the tender seat area next week as well (us and plans!).
As ever we edge ever nearer, but IF everything goes to plan then hopefully Prince should be running at Swanley before the end of April. (now all fall about laughing).
14th March 2010
Finally the 14th March has become a good day. Prince now resides in the locoshed, there is a huge hole in the workshop waiting to be filled (oh no means I will nagged to start Goss soon enough). Testing is still ongoing
but I hope to be ready for the boiler exam on the 28th March. If she passes, and some minor niggles can be resolved the shiny red engine may get some use over the Easter holiday... A lot of ifs, but something to aim for.
Below are some lovely pictures of Prince outside the locoshed.
Enjoying the sun, after getting her injectors to work.
Nathan with the second biggest grin at the railway (I had the largest!)
Well we had to get the two big engines together didn't we!!!
1/4/2010
Prince passed her boiler exam on the 28th March. after working through some timing issues, she completed her first lap of the SNBR in the afternoon. This highlighted some minor work that needs doing, and it is hoped this
will be completed tonight and over the Easter weekend (time permitting). Her name plates and builders plates have arrived, however the name plates (and thus her official name) will not be fitted to May to celebrate the builders fathers 70th birthday.
A better lubricator has been sourced and should arrive mid-april, while her vacuum brakes should be fitted over the next few weeks. Before she can enter passenger trials, a spark arrestor needs to be fitted which at least has been started. Her tender springing also needs changing, although
the springs have arrived, so this will not take too long to complete.
8/4/2010
Teething problems are reducing, and Prince has completed a few laps of the track now, including a 5 coach train. Modifications were required to the valve gear (hopefully now completed).
The spark arrestor is now fitted, and one makers plate has also been fitted. Further testing is expected this weekend, with jobs left to do now a very small amount. These include fitting the front coupling, the remaining makers plate, the vacuum brake system
and the new lubricator when it arrives. The tender roudels have arrived, and will be fitted by Glen over the next week or two. It is hoped that the shake down tests this weekend, will leave time for the
vacuum brake system to be started next week, however Prince and plans never go well, so no doubt something will need altering after this weekend!
5/5/2010
Shake down tests continue, with the added bonus of a weekend at Moors Valley Railway (the place that made all this possible). A new blast pipe is being made, as her present one is too big, this should be
completed in days. Otherwise only vacuum fittings remain on the technical side of the engine. Minor jobs such as fitting windows and gauge glass covers still remain, and the new improved lubricator still
has not arrived. Prince completed 21 miles of freight running at the MVR, with only 1 minor hic cup on the first day, and it highlighted the need for a better (reduced nozzle) blast nozzle. Not bad for
an engine with only 20 miles to its name when it got there. Prince will be running most alternate Saturdays on the track gang train while shake downs continue, but no doubt will also get some passenger
runs in the following day. Her Official naming will occur this month as well - dates and times will be posted in due course.
21/5/2010
Her naming ceremony will be around 3pm on Sunday 23rd May 2010 (she will get her real name). Minor jobs are slowly being completed, with her new blast pipe now fitted.
5/7/2010
Now Named Prince Sheian. She has been working fairly well with less and less issues being discovered after each steaming. New lubricator now fitted and after some major fettling its also working (touch wood).
19/7/2010
Working well, completed over 70 passenger hauling trips already. Work on the Vacuum system is next on the agenda.
11/10/2010
After hitting a log and some major "fettling" including a new piston, the big girl is back on the track. Work to do is still the vac system, and also skim the door and make the seating on the chimney base better as well. We edge nearer!
2/1/2011
After running at charity day, I discovered that Prince has already over taken stable mate Suisaidh in passenger miles. I may even get passed the 300 mile mark by the end of 2011 - maybe even 400!!!
13/8/2011
Windows fitted, Smoke box door finished, Vacuum fitted today and will be tested tomorrow. Other "improvements" include, new gauge glass fitting driver side due to some unknown damage (vandalism!), the irritating knock has finally been identified (and hopefully fixed - again a test tomorrow), front coupling now fitted as well (one of those nagging jobs). The engine recently shattered the most miles in a an operating day for a steam engine
a staggering 35 trips. 3 more than the previous record which she jointly held with Owd Rosie at 32. Prince will taking holiday on 30th August to the mighty Moors Valley Railway for 3 days. I am hoping to finally get her to pull a 13 coach train at the MVR!!!
I am also VERY please in how well she pulls, and she can pull a 5 car fully loaded train with just 10psi in her steam chest. A few niggles remain, mainly VERY minor steam leaks from fitting and some extra packing in the cylinders.
Now do I make one of these build diaries for Mrs Darling as well? My aim (I will not say Plan!) is to kick off further with the Tinkerbell this Autumn now that the "big red one" is becoming relaible and VERY hard working.
