3" Burrell Traction Engine build.

(Day 197) - Machining the grove in the first eccentric strap. Hello! I say day 197, almost feels like it. I've been on this for weeks because, for my piece of mind, a high degree of accuracy is required for this fit. I'm prepared to allow it to wear in (a bit) as I have been machining it by 0.1mm at a time, and have removed and test fitted it many time.  The photo (right) is almost there, but not quite, and some scraping with a HSS tool in the corners has been done to achieve a dead square corner.  Finally!!,  Last night it fitted and revolved smooth, however after the application of some 3-in-1 Oil It did go a little tighter. I can only imagine the oil was sealing the parts together, as they are a really close fit, but after some more scraping in, and using a blue marker pen, to see the wear marks show its finally complete.       It just remains to complete another 2 to the same standard, and hopefully it should be quicker this time. The main problem was the inability to measu

 Burrell progress and Kidderminster Steam Road Run Report. This year’s Severn Valley Railway & Kidderminster steam on the road day 2024 was a huge success!  Both days of the show were fantastic with exhibitors and visitors alike enjoying plenty of opportunities to see engines up close and talk to the owners. The road run at 3pm on Saturday was abuzz with vibrancy, excitement and anticipation and a few cars taught a lesson about steam, and who is bigger and has the loudest horn / steam siren.   Very enjoyable and the road run was very entertaining for all to watch. Aside on my Burrell Engine some further progress has been made recently, namely the gear guard being completed and the eccentrics have been worked on again.    Also I decided to get a set of 316 stainless steel shackles for the steering chain. This was to get an idea how they would look scale wise on my chain.     Until Next month, stay safe, make swarf and be the best you can be.

  Welland Steam Show 2024 Report..... Welland Steam Show (Upton-upon-Severn July 26th - 28th  2024). Ross-0n-Wye Steam Engine Society 58th Annual Rally. Hotel : Star Inn also responsible for the "Minge" Music festival details below.  The show as usual was well attended. I'm happy to report the numbers looked fantastic and the weather was as good as needed. Maybe we have inspired the next generation of Model Engineers. It certainly looked like there was no shortage of money changing hands for tools.  The show boasted 37 miniatures and 94 full size engines, along with a huge number of commercials, cars, bikes, tanks and military vehicles and displays. This time again, like last year, there was the heavy haulage arena, which was fascinating to watch, as long as you could keep the coal ash out of your eyes :-) I can imagine the rising fuel costs to move large machines, but this has not stopped them from attending this year. Thank you to all the organisers and engine owners, b

 3" Burrell Gear Change / Gear Guard. Just a small update, the gear change parts I have been modifying and fettling the parts. The object was to try to get the lever as straight as I could to maximise mechanical advantage. The sliding rod is ground silver steel and the bearings were bronze with added oil holes.  The gear guard (left) is the cardboard mock-up taken from the drawings and these 3 pieces will be used to cut out in 0.8mm steel the final guard. I have not decided how exactly to join them yet, I have been testing with my MIG welder on thin sheet. I've not completely ruled out simply soft soldering it, assuming I can get some etching acid to clean the joint. Or TIG welding if there is some gas left. As a last resort using rivets and brackets internal as a means of construction.   For now I'm just going to make the parts and park it whilst I practice on some more 0.8mm scrap mild steel.                            Until Next month, stay safe, make swarf and be the b

  3" Burrell Oilers, gear change, etc >Pressure gauge installation. Hello, I'm Back !! Well sort of... I have been off colour, and work is proving to be more challenging that before. Progress has been made, but its slow as I explained in traction talk (I write). I'm still alive, just a few Mental Health issues and a project of this size is difficult to stay focused long term, especially after spending 12 years on my other engine. After some time out of the workshop I'm back in a small way.  Below are a few photo's of recent progress gear change parts were progressing along with installing some of the controls on the spectacle plate.  Last Photo taken before my holiday. Attempted to mount some   of the controls for safety so as not to lose them in the                 workshop.  <   My best efforts at silver soldering prior to clean up. I do hope to be back on it properly, as it helps with my mental health, and I do honestly enjoy making the parts and showing i

 3" Burrell Eccentric straps and Oilers Year (5)! Happy New Year !! - Well its been a while since my last post and with the festivities over attention can be turned to the progress since last time. To say that a break was taken from machining is not strictly correct, as often a small amount is squeezed in to keep it ticking over. The eccentrics are all finished to the same standard as the one below just with the centre hole left rough. This is because I was having a nice new boring bar and tips for Christmas, so decided to wait for the new year to complete this.   Attention turned to some easy machining in the bracket and oiler cup, a quick turning job from some Brass hex. I decided to thread the top with a tap I already had, but found I was not in the possession of the matching Die. To supplement my collection I have since ordered the Die in HSS from Tracey Tools so this will be a Birthday present (February)   size : 1/2" x 32 TPI ME for information .    The remainder of tim