This week is a big one for Samson, with us taking the frames on a road-trip to Bridgnorth in order to have them finally riveted together in the boilershop there.  Whilst preparations have been made for this, Dave hasbeen busy machining some of the smaller components that form part of the engine unit and fittings atop the boiler.

Below: The chimney base has been bored out to enable the chimney tube to slot securely into it where it will be bolted in place (with round headed bolts for cosmetic purposes).

Below: The safety valve assembly, which also forms the top of the cylinder block and houses the regulator, is seen here. The bronze slipper is the regulator valve itself. Note the very neat knuckle joint at the left hand side of the regulator rod – the full rod itself reaches back to the rear of the boiler where the regulator handle is located on the reverser casting.

Below: The casting for the slide valve has been received and machined, being shown in position here.  Compare this with earlier views of the valve chest assembly.  Note also the cover for the tail rod, seen to the left.

Below: Another view of the regulator – here the valve is in place and shows how tricky it was to fit the regulator into the cylinder block. The port face for the regulator will be machined onto the top of the main cylinder casting.

Below: The stripped down frames, with holes reamed, lightly counter-sunk and marked in red paint to aid identification in the heat of the moment while work is taking place.