Engineering Update - February 2026

Locomotive 

The locomotive build is making steady progress. Components are being permanently fitted including Cylinders, Stretchers, Motion Brackets and various other parts for Brakes and Springs.

Machining and assembly of the wheelsets will now likely commence in July 2026. A final quality assurance check is required (the Quality Review took place on Monday 9th February) before we submit our ‘signed off’ drawing set, this will then be followed up with a production meeting at Ian Riley Engineering.

Volunteers

The idea of covering Wednesday and Thursday with Keith Riches supervising on Wednesdays and Kevin West Thursdays has not quite worked or various reasons, not least lack of availability. Tyseley Locomotive Works (TLW) has agreed in principle that volunteers can work Saturdays providing that TLW/Patriot supervision is available.

Boiler

We are still waiting for the inspection report from BES. Keith Riches, Simon Scott and Kevin West will be visiting HBSS as soon as possible to review various technical details and establish when we will pause work on the boiler prior to temporary fit at TLW which will be after the Driving Wheels are delivered.

Tender

The tender axles have undergone NDT (non-destructive testing) and we are happy to report that no defects were found. No further progress has been made with the tender at Leaky Finders. We recently had discussions with Leaky Finders which resulted in us agreeing to recommence work on the tender in May 2026.   

Plan

The outline plan for the next few months (before delivery and temporary fitting of the boiler now likely to be August/ September 2026):

• Complete the fitting of Spring Hanger, Brake Hanger and Boiler Expansion Brackets, Outside Motion Girders, Inside and Outside Motion Brackets and associated Valve Rod Guide Brackets which is currently ongoing.
• Prepare running plates for shot blasting, the current proposal is for them to be done at Tyseley Loco Works.
• Finish remaining welding of incorrect bolt holes (in progress).
• Repair of the Drag Box (in progress).
• Check alignment.
• Commence wheel assembly TBC (probably May/June).
• Progress the Bogie Frame rebuild (Bogie Stretcher now cast, Bogie Centre Pin Casting due delivery at the end of February).
• Bogie Wheelset repair at Riley’s (wheelset NDT complete, we are now awaiting a quote).

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of work required. It covers current ongoing work and key tasks. 


Reaming holes for Rivets before fitting of frame stretcher.


New Rivets fitted to hold the Inside Motion Bracket in the Frames. One line of Rivets are also used
to mount the Outside Motion Brackets as can be seen.


Left Hand Outside Valve Rod Crosshead Support Bracket being test mounted onto the front of the
Outside Motion Bracket.


Inside Cylinder Hind Cover and Slidebars being installed.


Outside Weighshaft Support Trunnions being installed.


Outside Weighshaft Support Trunnions being installed.


Right Hand Motion Girder after installation.


Right Hand Outside Cylinder, showing the Fitted Bolts being installed.


A Boiler Support Bracket during fitting.


Outside Combination Lever, formerly fitted to Jubilee No. 5562 'Alberta', following refurbishment.


A set of Outside Valve Rod Die Block Slide components, following preparation for fitting.


Machining the square holes for the location studs in the Horn Ties.


Views of 5551 showing progress on the recent installation of components. Starting to look like a locomotive again!




All photos by Keith Riches.