West Somerset Railway Association

Supporting the Heritage of the West Somerset Railway for 50 years

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15th August 2022

Progress has been limited over the past 3 months while waiting for the three coupled wheelsets to be machined and returned from Tyseley. Words by Mike Johns.  Photos:  Ryan Pope and Tyseley Locomotive Works. Having originally thought that one axle would have to be...

8th April 2022

It’s been a while since the last update.  The delays have been for several reasons including longer than expected lead times for supplies, other work and the impact of the February storms. Words by Mike Johns and photos by Ryan Pope. Having decided to replace...

29th November 2021

A problem was found when the second piston rod was set up for machining. In the picture it is shown with a square standing on the piston head. You will notice that while the bottom of the square is in contact with the piston rod, above this there is a tapering gap...

27th October 2021

A welding procedure was devised to satisfactorily repair the cracks previously found (see 9th August). Work continued on the horn faces of the 6 coupled wheel axleboxes ready for the new bronze liners to be fitted after a delay waiting for them to be delivered. Each...

9th August 2021

The unwanted studs have been removed from the axlebox horn faces (see previous notes) and the holes filled with plugs screwed in and capped with weld to provide a new bearing surfaces. The stud holes that are required have been re-threaded and the horn faces and side...

18th June 2021

Having considered the options for the refurbishment of the coupled wheel axleboxes it was decided that the existing bearings and horn liner bronzes were beyond recovery and should be replaced. The unwanted 12mm holes will be plugged and sealed and the 3/8” BSW holes...