3" Burrell Traction Engine build.

 Burrell Traction Engine,  Wheels I decided to make a small start on the wheels based on the fact I had acquired the rims and I had the spokes Laser cut and had arrived in the post. Just a mock-up at this stage and the hubs for the wheels I also made a start on one of these. Then Disaster struck, I found a mistake on the drawing that has meant I have made the axle too short only by about 20mm. For now, I have decided to continue with a view to fixing the axle width at a later date. The finished brass covers made from solid the results look good although there is an amount of waste making them in this way (see photo left). Also made a start on the rear wheel and the tie plates that hold them together. All 32 per wheel plus some spares, all hand cut and filed to size from strips I cut off in the horizontal miller. This did rate high on the tedious list but as I'm a Celebrity was on the TV for a week!! , it was a welcome escape. 

 Burrell Traction Engine, Castings & Covid Part 2. Following a successful purchase on an auction site whilst I was with the kids and wife at Alton Towers theme park. A  trip up to Blackpool was required to collect. The photograph (below middle) is the photo of the parts that were listed. Photo Left is after a good evening's cleaning and oiling. As luck would have it we were actually going to Blackpool and when I found out the seller was only 4 minutes from our hotel and 30 minutes chatting about engines, boats, and classic cars I was the new owner !!.  The front axle from a 4" Foster obtained I believe from LSM.   I actually didn't particularly like the look of the front axle, I can understand why it was designed based on using a 3/4" bar with additional castings to fit on a smaller lathe down the spindle bore. I was thinking of making an axle like this from a solid rectangular piece of M.S and milling the angles needed. However the holding and cost of the mater...