West Somerset Railway Association

Supporting the Heritage of the West Somerset Railway for over 50 years

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4561 Side Tanks – more great progress

4561 Side Tanks – more great progress

 Today the tank was lifted and turned onto its back so we could use the ‘squeezer’ with the hydraulic power pack to close up the 50 rivets that secure the base of the tank to the tank frame/angle iron. The rivets need to be flush on the underside, so one of the jobs...
WSRA Small Prairie 4561 Chassis Update

WSRA Small Prairie 4561 Chassis Update

Pictures by Matt Healey The pictures show.the machining and fitting of 4561’s eccentrics after white metaling. This work needs funding please could you help to keep up this progress moving forward. Please click the link to donate...
Progress update on 4561’s side tanks

Progress update on 4561’s side tanks

Before the top sheet was finally put in position the fixing bolts for the air vent, feed pipe bracket and top inspection cover were welded in place. These items cannot be accessed internally once the tank is complete, so the bolts are held captive to allow the parts...
The Manufacture of New Side Tanks for 4561 are Progressing Well

The Manufacture of New Side Tanks for 4561 are Progressing Well

Further Progress is being made on 4561’s at Minehead All of the 10mm holes that were laser cut in the inside platework have now been drilled through and transferred into the angle iron frame. These holes in the frame have now all been drilled out to 10.3mm and...

November 2025

More Progress on the Side Tanks Paul Orrells reports more good progress at Minehead, all of the fixing holes for the outside sheets have been drilled.  The sheets were then tack welded together at the front, and the combined sheet was then laid down to weld from the...