Finance

At the first board meeting of the new financial year on 30 July a summary of our Quarter 1 results for 2022/2023 along with the accounts for 2021/22 was presented to the board for approval.

Prior to that, a meeting was held with our accountants at their offices in Stafford to receive their verdict:

‘The total income for the year showed a reduction from that in 2020/2021.  However, the charity has fared very well through the pandemic and is emerging in a healthy cash position. Now looking forward to external events coming back online and to utilising the cash reserves to progress work on the engine.’

Engineering

Seven driving wheels have now been cast at William Cooks. (The order includes two for Royal Scot). Casting the last wheel in the order has been delayed to next week to allow us to witness and record the process. Proof machining and testing of the wheels is planned for July.

Planning for the tyre and axle supply and wheelset assembly is complete.

Our preparation for the testing of chassis components (in the absence of original documentation) is being completed this week. We have been able to arrange for a competent volunteer to carry out hardness testing at West Shed before MPI testing is carried out at Boro Foundry.

Finance 

Engineering

William Cook Cast Products have completed preparatory work on the driving wheel pattern. This work was carried out free of charge after contract discussions. Completion of the casting work is still expected by the end of June. The original wheelsets have now been returned to PRCLT at West Shed for salvaging re-usable components.

The reassembly of the chassis remains on hold as we need more time to complete our assessment of the quality checks needed on existing chassis components. People availability in April has been a challenge. However our certification body Ricardo has provided valuable input and an inspection is being planned. We are also working with key suppliers on this issue.

Finance

Engineering 

Preparation for the driving wheel castings has continued at William Cook Cost Products - we expect the order to be completed in June.