With the rolling frames of Samson more or less completed, we took the opportunity today to take them down to the narrow gauge railway and give them a day of running to see how they would perform.  Edward Sholto provided the motive power whilst we carried out this exercise.  The brake gear will require some modification – originally we had struggle to interpret the photograph where the pull rods are below rail level, so this had been address through slightly larger driving wheels amongst other tweaks.  We also wanted to have a brake each side (the original was single sided – a parking brake rather than running one).  What we discovered today is why it was single sided, so further work will be undertaken to ensure we have the required clearance beneath the footplate whilst still retaining the original layout per the photograph for the pull rods and block.  These were removed today to enable the bearings/rods to be examined in action – and very nicely it runs too!  It was weighted with a few sleepers to reduce the yawing, but otherwise acted as a tender to the Hunslet for the day to put a few miles on it.  The frames are now back in the workshop and next time they move, it should be under its own steam…

Below: A selection of photographs from the afternoon, including posing with both locomotive and traction engine power – appropriate to Samson as it is something of both in its finished form!  Also a chance to judge the shade of ‘Dark Green’ on the wheel centres –  something I’m very happy with, whilst Dave was delighted with the way in which the whole thing ran so smoothly.

Below: Happy creators/curators!