Centre engine progress

Centre engine progress

18th May 2010

I haven’t reported much on the blog lately, but work on site continues on the chaldrons, some improvements to the colliery engine works and tram 31’s repaint.

Here are some views of the centre engine for the gallopers, taken at Alton Engineering in Derbyshire…

Below: A general view of the new boiler – only the brackets for the crankshaft are original in this view. As I write, steaming is anticipated very shortly.

Below: Worn parts and the organ engine – after years of being driven by the ride, there was extensive wear in all moving parts and much mechanical restoration has been required.

Below: A view through the man-door on the firebox looking towards the back-head. Note the girder stays to the right and the reinforcing plate to the left. The crown of the inner firebox occupies the bottom of this view.

Below: Two views of the dismantled cylinder block and parts, refurbished and ready to be fitted back onto the boiler (mounted onto the firebox outer wrapper). Completion is expected in coming weeks, with the ride still due to be in action later this summer…