Engineering Update - August 2025

Steady progress is being made with the assembly of 5551 'The Unknown Warrior' at Tyseley Locomotive Works.

General

Prior to commencement of fitting components to the frames a 100% audit has been conducted on the frames and associated drawings by Tyseley Locomotive Works and the Patriot engineering team. Although some minor work was identified, everything checked out satisfactory and all agreed that there was nothing to prevent is continuing with the build.

The machining of the spring hanger brackets has been completed, and we will be progressing with the fitment of the brackets in due course.


Machining of a spring hangar bracket.


All twelve completed and machined spring hangar brackets ready for temporary fitting.


Test drilling of a rear cylinder cover for a final casting quality check.


The three rear cylinder covers. All photos by Keith Riches 

The fitting of the centre cylinder is ongoing. Both the outside cylinders are at Riley’s for machining, and we expect them back to Tyseley by September whereupon they will be fitted.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking to level the frames, temporarily fit the spring hanger brackets and commence work on the horn blocks and ties.

The recommencing of the wheel assembly at Riley’s is planned to start by the beginning of October 2025. Delivery of the wheel sets is now planned for March 2026. This will allow some time to prepare for the delivery of the driving wheels.

Our volunteers have continued with their efforts in cleaning and preparing various components for immediate use and some for protection and storage.


A set of slide bars receive attention. Photo by Keith Riches

The 40 foot container has now been fitted out with racking and will have power and light fitted. This will provide for a small all-weather workshop and storage close to the locomotive workshop.

The new shelving for our recently acquired larger container were delivered and fitted in July. Transfer of parts will be undertaken by Patriot volunteers. Photo by Keith Riches  

Boiler

Good progress is continuing to be made on the boiler at Heritage Boiler Steam Services (HBSS). As previously reported, we will be holding a technical meeting with HBSS soon to discuss details of our requirements going forward and further updates will be notified in due course. A decision will be made at the meeting to agree a break point to temporarily move the boiler to Tyseley.

Tender

Unfortunately, we could not arrange a meeting with Leaky Finders as planned. However, we will endeavour to meet as soon as possible with the intention to plan the completion of the frames.

Update compiled by Kevin West, Design Engineer and Keith Riches, Project Director