Valve connecting rods

 After publishing an update yesterday I thought this very important move forward deserved its own page! The valve connecting rods, along with the radius links were put into the frame on the 30th January and is the first part of the motion that will make No 9 a living, breathing engine. A lot more connecting to do but a big step in her restoration. Also a photo of the cottar pins securing the slide bars, each one a different size. Well done Alan!

Cottar pins securing the left hand slide bars.

Nick raising the RH valve connecting rod.

Alan positioning the RH valve connecting rod into the guide.

Both rods in place in the guides.

RH radius link in place. LH connecting rod turned to allow the link to be inserted more easily.

Both radius links in place.

The valve connecting rods through the guides.

Viewed towards the rear of the cylinder block.

Plates and painting and motion preview!

 The cylinder block that we worked on last month needs protection and insulation both top and bottom and plated were cut, using the old ones as templates. The top plates were easier than the bottom ones as they already had the tapped holes for the bolts. On the bottom new holes had to be drilled and tapped, a hard job pushing a drill up into cast iron! And 1 tap down - sorry! That done insulation was cut to "size" and held in place while the plate was moved into place. The left hand plate on the bottom still has to be done and heat resistant paint applied on all some surfaces. Brian has continued the painting work on the buffer beams and the frame, making it look very smart! We also started work on the motion by doing some positioning work on the reverser weigh shaft. This for the next blog coming soon!

Old as template used for new plate being drilled.

RH plate with steam pipe in place to check fittings.

Top plates in place and painted.

Bottom RH plate - looks awkward but it worked - eventually! Alan & Nick pushing the insulation into place.

Alan tightening a bolt on the bottom RH plate.

Brian applying the midnight blue to the corner of the LH buffer beam.

And a first coat of signal red to the buffers and beam.

Weigh shaft being supported by the gantry.

Reverser weigh shaft lever. Key & pin still to be inserted. Reverser held horizontal on gantry.