Let’s get 4561 rolling
8th December 2023
We are delighted to be able to bring you an update on progress on 4561. It’s been a long and very quiet year, whilst Trustees work through some issues with the loco and it’s boiler. However, work on the chasis components has been continuing at Williton all year and we can now bring you some images and updates, courtesy of Matt Healey.
We would also like to pay tribute to Mike Johns who advised the WSRA team for many years and also supplied the words and images for this blog. Sadly, Mike passed away recently. May he Rest In Peace.
Words and pictures by Matt Healey
These two images show the first pony truck axle box set up on the horizontal borer for machining of the axlebox horns.
The second pair of images show the first of the two pony trucks to be re wheeled.
25th January 2023
Words and pictures by Josh Chivers
Both pony trucks have now been top coated and axle boxes are started to be test fitted onto the axles.
We’re looking for more volunteers to come along and help prepare and paint the wheels. If you can spare a few hours to help please contact Don Wood at WS Restoration at Williton
Bores and thrust faces being machined.
16th January 2023
The festive season was rather busy and the blog was a little sidelined, so here’s an update for the end of last year and the start of this year..
Words and pictures by Harry Spencer
During December work on the front end of 4561 was on the final straight, and the image shows the last pieces of cladding around the cylinders being sorted.
Just needs is a coat of paint before it goes rusty. If anyone would like to volunteer for this and similar tasks please contact the team at Williton.
Meanwhile with the front pony truck assembly, New bolts have now been made where needed and most of the bends heated and straightened.
Also the pony truck arm was heated and straightened before going back on.
Whilst the 1st Axle Box was being finished it up on the borer, it was trial fitted on the pony truck wheelset
Meanwhile, another axle box was being prepped for white metal.
Regarding wheelsets, the 1st coat of gloss paint was applied to the 1st set of wheels.
29th November 2022
Another week and another update of work on the locomotive.
Words and pictures by Harry Spencer
The second axle box has now got its white metal.
The first box is now on the borer and a start has been made on machining it out.
On the frames, riveting work has been carried out to the front soul bar section with Mister Healey on the guns, Mister Roper on the jack. And Mister Chivers pumping one out… as the jack
Mister Chivers has been busy making new bolts for the bent pony which still needs bending back straight.
Finally for this week, the pony truck wheels are slowly being painted up with one wheel in undercoat grey and the other set in being sanded for gloss black.
21st November 2022
This blog entry gives a sample of the work that has been going on in the background in recent weeks, despite delays with suppliers and other issues beyond our control.
Words and pictures by Harry Spencer
Work has started on replacing some of the old running boards on the front end of the locomotive, here is one the RH side boards along with the old one.
Work on the axle boxes has also started with the first box fully white metaled and ready for machining and the second box being prepared for new white metal.
On the first pony truck, work has started on stripping it down.
Here it is on the pillar drill having the seized bolts drilled out because it was discovered to be bent.
These images show one side of the pony truck assembly and the other side rather more severely bent.
