We hope that everyone is keeping safe and
well in the current climate of Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns. Since
the last report, we have put the wheels in motion and progress has been made
on the traction motors.
September: We had a call from Bowers Electrical Ltd about one of the motors
requiring more work than the other 3, the commutator was beyond serviceable
condition, which would mean a greater expense. We have spare motors and we
tripped one over (on John’s 3.5t trailer) across the Peaks to Heanor. The
staff at Bowers Electrical were extremely helpful, showing us around their
workshop, explaining what progress they had made with the traction motors we
had sent to them. Apart from the one mentioned above, the motors were in
reasonable condition, requiring some rectification, like the brush boxes not
having any copper braids. It was mentioned that the internal bearings should
be looked at, so we arranged for an inspection for clarification of their
condition.
October: We had the news that all of the traction motor bearings had failed
the inspection we organized, with electrical current damage. Luckily, these
bearings are available to purchase and we secured a full set for each
traction motor. This was an expense we hadn’t planned for but this is why we
ran the bogie appeal, to give us the contingency incase the unforeseeable
happened. We also placed an order with TK Engineering and Gearcutting for 4
pinions, made to original specification and that match the gearwheels on our
axles (15 teeth pinion/67 teeth gearwheel)
November: Lockdown 2 … work on both locos almost grinds to a halt again with
the current government restrictions. TK Engineering and Gearcutting had to
suspend manufacturing due to their staff falling ill, then extended further
due to the lockdown. The firm is back up and running again, albeit several
weeks behind and the pinions are now being manufactured.
We also have facebook pages too, where we update regular progress - www.facebook.com/d8233 If you are interested in helping out please contact Rob Mason
|
