The Holden F5 Locomotive Trust

The Trust expects to be placing an order for all eight wheel castings before the end of October 2019. A more detailed engineering report will be published soon.

GER 789 Wheelsets.

Chief Mechanical Engineer Elliot Powick continues to undertake dialogue with The Tyseley Steam Locomotive Works and a number of engineering companies regarding the driving wheel pattern, the casting of wheels and other associated components necessary to assemble all four wheelsets. Whilst negotiations are ongoing further details are being held in abeyance until the Trust is in the position to make a formal announcement.

Steve Cooper,

Chairman.

For and on behalf of The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust.

The frame plates and motion bracket were delivered to TM Engineering of Kingwinford UK in December 2018. As mentioned in an earlier engineering report, the frames were cut to size by Ta Ta Steel as modelled by a previous GER 789 engineer. As such our current CME Elliot Powick had expressed concerns that the lack of machinable surfaces would render CAD drawings flawed resulting in datums being off centre as a consequence of additional machining. These fears were to prove unfounded as CNC of the frame plates was  completed without issue.

Machining of the motion bracket enabled the frames to be temporarily fixed upright for the first time. A stretcher was manufactured by TM Engineering then fitted to the rear of the frames assembly to facilitate lifting and relocation to Tyseley.

The frames assembly was delivered to Tyseley on 10th April 2019 by Reid Freight Services

Photo courtesy of Mike Solloway

Photo courtesy of Mike Solloway

Photo courtesy of Mike Solloway

The next phase is for the frames to enter Tyseley’s works for final assembly that will consist of cylinders, motion bracket, diamond stay plus buffer beams. Horn-guides are currently being modelled with casting, machining and fitting to follow.

Machining of the frame plates has commenced at TM Engineering (Midlands) Ltd of Kingwinford, UK.   Click on the link to view the frames assembly CAD model  https://www.holdenf5.co.uk/engineering-news-march-2017/f5-0001-r3a/   A more detailed engineering report will be published soon.

Frame plates undergoing CNC machining.

Frame plates undergoing CNC machining.

The GER 789 Information Stand is in attendance at “The London Model Engineering Exhibition,” Alexandra Palace, London N22 7AY from 18th to 20th January 2019.

Upon arrival head for the Rose Window to be greeted by members of our helpful and informative team, learn of the latest engineering news plus view “O” gauge models of GER 789 operating on our demonstration layout.

A range of GER 789 merchandise is also available including polo shirts, prints and post cards.

The frame plates and motion bracket have been delivered to TM Engineers (Midlands) Ltd of Kingwinford.

Computer numerical control (CNC) machining of the frame plates and the motion bracket is expected to commence during early December of before.  Upon completion, the plates will be temporarily bolted to the motion bracket for transit to Tyseley for final assembly.  Meanwhile CME Elliot Powick has  commenced detailed design work on the crank axle that will enable an accurate quote to be obtained for the wheel sets.

Motion bracket casting

Cleaned and painted frame plates.

GER 789 FRAME PLATES.

GER 789 Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) Elliot Powick recently arranged for GER 789’s frame plates to be cleaned (shot blasted) and sealed with a protective coat by South Staffs Protective Coatings Ltd. The frame plates are expected to be delivered to TM Engineering for CNC drilling and machining within the next few days.

Each plate is 1.15 tonnes in weight and measuring 31’9.00″ in length.

A more comprehensive engineering update will be published soon.

The frame plates have been transported from Tyseley Steam Locomotive Works to be shot blasted and painted prior to delivery to TM Engineering next week. TM Engineering is undertaking CNC machine drilling of the frame plates. Upon their completion, the machined frame plates will return to Tyseley in readiness for the assembly of GER 789’s frames. The final frame assembly will consist of the fully machined cylinder block and  motion bracket plus front and rear buffer beams. The horn guides will be cast in the coming weeks.

A more detailed engineering report will be published soon.

Stop press.

Frame plates to be despatched for CNC machining imminently. More details to follow soon. 

With the frames of GER 789 due to be constructed soon, The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust are now looking at their next fundraising push – the casting and manufacture of the wheelsets, including the machining and crank axle. With completion of this crucial step, the Trust would be able to present a rolling chassis of GER 789; a significant milestone in recreating this lost member of an East London icon, none of which survived into preservation.

To be able to achieve this, The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust are seeking part donations towards, and full sponsors of, the following components and their relevant costs:

• Driving Wheel Pattern (£3,000)
• Driving Wheel Castings (£5,500 each, total £22,000)
• Material for crank axle journals (£3,000)
• Lead and trailing wheel castings* (£3,000 each, total £12,000)
• Crank webs (machined) (£1,200 each, total £4,800)
• Assembly of crank axle (pictured right) (£500 per press 8-opps, total £4,000)
• Leading and trailing axle material (£1,200 each, total £2,400)
• Machining for the material (£1,300 each, total £2,600)
• Trailing driving wheel axle blank (£3,000)
• Machining for the axle blank (£1,500)

*patterns for these have already been produced

The above represents a significant expenditure towards crucial components for GER 789, and we cannot achieve this without your help. If you would like to sponsor any of these costs, in full or part, please fill out the form overleaf and either return to the members on our publicity stand, or to the address shown. Don’t forget – if you are a UK tax payer, your contribution can also benefit from GiftAid, further increasing your support!

We are also delighted to be able to offer a number of rewards to those who make large donations towards to scheme:

• All donations over £100 will receive a FREE year’s membership, a signed print of Wrenford Thatcher’s “789 at Stratford Low Level”, and their name included on a roll of honour;
• Donations between £1000 and £2000 will also receive a reserved seat on one of 789’s first publicly hauled trains;
• Donations between £2001 and £5000 will also receive a pass for a single trip on the footplate.
• The name of anyone donating £2500 or more will also be entered into a draw to win a driver experience course utilising GER 789.

Unable to make a large contribution in one go? Become a member and you will also be entitled to rewards – after all, we cannot progress without your support.