Another misleading subject heading this week as Tuesday's working party had to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. However, in spite of the poor road conditions, Ian Pearson and Bill Dobson made it to Grosmont on Wednesday, a bitterly cold day with the odd hail and snow showers. Not surprisingly, the first job was to get the stove lit and warmed up.
The main job of the day was fitting both connecting rods using the new hydraulic lifting table. This made the job much easier than in the past, when lots of timber packing and manpower were required. Unfortunately the bearings could not be fitted, as new felt pads had had to be made for the little ends and big end bearings, and these are presently soaking in lubricating oil. Wooden packing pieces have therefore been put around the big end crank pins to keep the connecting rod from touching the crank pins (see photo). The little end pins and big end bearings will be fitted next week.
Bill has ordered 60 metres of copper pipe for the new axle box lubrication system using the 8 feed silvertown lubricator from the upstairs store in the workshop.