The Holden F5 Locomotive Trust

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.

RADIAL TRUCKS

As the build of GER 789 continues it becomes ever increasingly apparent that original drawings from different eras do not necessarily correlate. From a design perspective this situation is further complicated as the radial truck assembly (assy) is missing from our collection despite a thorough investigation being undertaken by our original CME Graham Rowland. As a consequence Elliot Powick, our current CME, has undertaken a vast amount of research  using  other drawings from our collection to gather information to facilitate the generation of CAD models of the radial trucks ahead of their manufacture. Radial truck guides are an integral part of the frames and run very close to the cylinders so need checking prior to frame assembly.

Radial truck elevation

Radial truck elevation

Underside of GER 789 with radial trucks in situ. Click on image to enlarge.

Elliot Powick CME has commenced design work of the leading and trailing radial pony trucks. The original drawings have proved to be elusive. Both Cross-heads are also at the design stage. A more detailed engineering statement will be announced soon.

Motion Bracket
The last main casting required for frame erection had its pattern made in early July. This was duly despatched to Coupe Foundry for casting.

As we were still in negotiation with TLW (Tyseley Loco Works) regarding a build slot it was giving to the casting company to do as and when to reduce the costings.

This has now been completed and the casting returned to Premier patterns ready for machining.

Once the motion bracket has been machined all of the additional bracketry, fitted bolts and rivets should’ve been machined and delivered to TLW and with this part everything required to assemble the frames will be in their possession to start assembly once the slot has become available.
Once this has been completed the frame assembly should resemble the picture shown below. The small brackets at the base of where the hornguides sit are temporary stretchers to ensure no undue stress is added to the frames until its on its wheels and transmitting the assemblies weight accordingly.

The motion bracket pattern has been delivered to the foundry. Further information will be posted soon.

Preliminary talks have commenced with the Trustees of Whitwell and Reepham Station, Norfolk regarding the future relocation of GER 789. Such a move is necessitated as Tyseley Steam Locomotive Works is unable to accommodate 789’s frames upon their assembly.

Whitwell and Reepham Station will provide GER 789 with excellent opportunities to further progress via engineering, publicity and public accessibility.

For further information visit www.whitwellstation.com

Negotiations are ongoing to identify a suitable home for our soon to be assembled frames, smokebox, chimney and bunker. A significant “news update” is expected to be published soon.

Elliot Powick has CAD designed the bracketry that is necessary for the assembly of GER 789’s frames. Tyseley is to inspect and approve the final designs prior to fabrication.

With assembly of the frames imminent, attention is focused on relocating from Tyseley to another site. Discussions have been held with a potential display partner and an official announcement will be made soon.

The GER 789 display will consist of assembled frames mounted on bespoke frame supports. The smokebox complete with a prosthetic chimney will be attached to the cylinder block with the bunker attached to the rear with replica GER 789  plates affixed to the bunker sides.