BUILD LOCOMOTIVE 11 – JANUARY UPDATE!The Build 11 team, after enjoying a holiday break, was back at it again during our January 2-4 work session. Quentin Bethune completed polishing the first rear truck axle journal bearing surfaces using a tool post grinder generously donated by Noah MacAdam.
Finish grinding the axle journal bearing surface.The completed axle journal bearing surface – it looks great!Meanwhile, Gordon Cook, Rick Sisson and Jason Lamontagne completed installation of the lead truck radius bar cross tie. This effort included drilling the through hole for the radius bar retaining pin, drilling and tapping 4 holes in the underside of the forward frame to mount the cross tie, and finally countersinking the through hole to receive the retaining pin. This work alone took us almost two days to complete.
Gordon is countersinking the pin hole in the lead truck radius bar cross tie. Harold Downey assisted us in cold flanging the 7/8” thick radius bar. This component looks like a gigantic hairpin and required four bends, which came out rather well. We used a purpose built anvil placed in our flanging machine to form these bends. We start the bend and remove the work piece when we judge the bend to be close to the desired angle. Then we use a plywood template to quantify the achieved bend angle, reinsert the work piece in the press, and repeat the process a number of times until the proper bend angle has been formed. On occasion when we have over bent the work piece, we’ll have to remove the work piece, flip it over, and try to bend it back to the correct angle.
Harold is evaluating the lead truck radius bar bend angle prior to further bending.The lead truck radius bar is sitting on the floor; the hole matches the hole in the lead truck cross tie mounted to the forward frame above.We need to form four lead truck pedestals – these are C-shaped components formed from 1” by 3” bar stock, about 2 feet long. We have to heat these with an oxygen – propane mixture until the area is glowing (orange), move them carefully (the work piece gets really hot) to the anvil and begin the bending process as described above. We were able to form the first bend on each of the 4 pedestals during this work session; we’ll form the remaining bends during our next work session.
Noah has started to machine the rear cylinder heads in his home shop. This is the first step in installing the crosshead guides on the locomotive.
Rear cylinder head in the lathe. Noah has also completed the lead truck bearing boxes – the boxes have been bored and machined to accept the bearing retainers.
Lead truck bearing box.Gordon has machined the lead truck spring hanger pivots and pins in his home shop and brought them to Sheepscot.
Lead truck spring hanger pivots and pins. (drawings)Quentin has brought home the lead truck swing links, where he will machine the holes, insert the bushings and drill oil holes:
Lead truck swing links. (drawings)Here's an illustration of the components we’ve worked on this session.
Work session components.2024 FUNDRAISING GOAL ANNOUNCED!
With 2023's goal surpassed with $64,111 raised, we are moving forward with a $50,000 goal in 2024 to make "Wheel Progress". Learn more, and contribute, at
build11.org