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Club Project - Building a 5 inch Gauge 2-8-0 L.N.E.R Tender Locomotive
"Nigel Gresley"
This club project started in 1999 was completed in 2004 and is in regular use passenger hauling on our raised track The locomotive has been built from the Martin Evans design.
This new Locomotive has now been named "Blackfly" in keeping with the club's ***fly naming's and is in use on our Public Running Sundays.
To see full image, CLICK on picture to enlarge
	Initial assembly of various components.
	Project co-ordinator Phil Kingham working on the smokebox.
	Dave Whiting taking time off from a 71/4" Locomotive project to help assemble the frames.
	Two images showing initial assembly progressing to check that everything 'fits' before any major painting is carried out.
	Work now starting on final painting and assembly.
	The frame and wheels assembled with a compressed air connection to the cylinders, this enables the pistons and valve gear to be 'test' run. This picture was taken just before the unit was towed round our raised track by another locomotive to 'run in' the linkages etc.
	All these pieces have either been 'scratch' built or machined from castings.
	One of several oiling units for lubricating the axle bearings. The tank is filled with oil which is slowly fed into the system by the wick.
	A lot of fine detail can be seen on the locomotive.
	Several steam controls fitted to the boiler.
	Starting to cover the boiler with cork insulation and brass sheet. (the white is a protective film over the brass)
To see full image, CLICK on picture to enlarge
	Final assembly well underway (Autumn 2003).
	Many hours of work has gone into producing this degree of detail.
	Another view of controls being installed and cork insulation being cut to shape.
	Originally thought up by club member Ron Manning, this firedoor unit is fitted into the opening in the boiler without the need for any fixings into the boiler plating (Backhead), as the spigot goes through the normal opening and the unit held in place by a single friction setscrew.
	Ron's idea was taken up by Project Leader Phil Kingham, who made the unit to fit the Backhead opening on the Nigel Gresley. A short article on this unit was published in the 'Model Engineer' magazine, Volume 191 no 4200.
	Pipework and boiler cleading, progressing well.
	Showing cork insulation and cab unit in place.
	The Tender which only needs connecting pipework to be fitted, is designed to carry water and coal, to supply the engine when in steam.
	Fitted in the Tender water tank, this hand pump supplies water to the Locomotive boiler.
	Boiler fully cladded, and pipe work being installed. This is one of the 'Clack Valves' (a one way valve) supplying water to the boiler.
	An 'Injector', steam from the boiler is fed through this unit, which is also connected to a water supply from the Tender. The Injector forces the water into the boiler against the high steam pressure inside the boiler.
	Pipework being fitted inside the smokebox.
	With all the platework now painted, final assembly is underway, (January 2004).
	Sunday 1st February 2004, the completed Locomotive is brought out for the first time, for final checking over before it has a steam test.
	Another view of Loco & Tender, having had its boiler steam test she will be ready to be used for the 2004 Summer Season.
	4th February 2004. For the first time the engine is being prepared for steaming. Once the locomotive has been fully assembled and all pipework fitted, the boiler has to have an official steam pressure test, but before this can take place all the various components including the hand pump, injectors and smokebox blower system has to be checked and adjusted. Ron & Bryan are in the process of 'lighting the fire'.
	Until the boiler has steam pressure an electric extractor fan is placed in the top of the chimney to create a draft to get the coal fire to burn correctly, once there is steam pressure the electric unit is removed and the permanently installed 'steam blower' fed from the boiler is used.
	Sunday 15th February 2004, Ron walking alongside the engine which is moving under it's own steam power for the first time.
Sunday the 7th March 2004, with all the testing and checking complete, the Engine is ready for club use.
	Club member Clare.
	Bryan (driving) & Project Co-ordinator Phil.
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