The 4709 Group has sent RailAdvent an update on the work progressing on the cylinders for GWR steam locomotive 4709.

The machining of the two-cylinder blocks is now at the advanced stage at Roach Engineering at Brierley Hill.

It is planned that the cylinders will be fitted together before being installed onto the locomotives chassis; the work is likely to progress with both castings being machined in stages in preparation for joining them together.

This means that the machining will be completed for each casting one after the other, with identical alignment for the first cylinder being used for machining the second one.

New castings for the front and rear covers are also progressing and will join the newly cast valve covers which are already in the West Midlands.

The work is progressing with completion expected in the Autumn, with the finished covers joining the cylinders, ready for assembly onto 4709.

The next step will then be to mount the new cylinders to the extension frames. This work will be carried out by the Dinmore Manor Fund’s Mike Solloway at Tyseley Locomotive Works.

Mike lives in the Midlands has recently fitted new cylinders to GWR 2-8-0 No 3850.

This progress will then see the front end assembly offered up into place and as well as its cylinder to ensure the alignment of the bolting holes.

Once complete, the cylinders can then be bolted together upside down, with the faces being treated with sealant. The extension frames will then be fitted to the cylinders, and the newly machined bolts finally be fitted.

Now at that stage, the dimensions for the racking plate can be measured as this needs to have a very snug fit between the extension frames.

This will then allow the racking plate/extension frame angle to be machined, which requires a very precise measurement to achieve the required standard of fit.

Once all of the numerous bolts are finally in place, the two-ton leading centre stay can be machined and fitted into place.

To complete the front end assembly, the buffer beam will be re-fitted. At this stage, the whole unit will be ready to be refitted to the locomotive’s frames.

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