Background on the Project
The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust, a charity established in 1997, is dedicated to restoring British railway heritage and educating the public about its importance. Their passion project involves building a new steam locomotive based on one of the twelve standardised British locomotives, with the goal of keeping it operational for another 30 years. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the last British Rail standard locomotive, adding historical significance to the project’s completion.
Project Requirements
In line with their mission to preserve British railway history, the Trust aims to use original designs and exacting standards. They required bespoke connecting rods for their locomotive, the 1000th British Rail standard locomotive, reflecting both heritage and functionality. Safety was paramount, as the connecting rods are crucial to the locomotive’s mechanical integrity and operation.
Challenges and Solutions
The Trust needed a supplier capable of both forging these custom parts and performing the machining. This integrated approach allowed for better quality control and ensured the parts met the Trust’s high standards of authenticity and safety.
One of the challenges we faced was working with outdated drawings, but we overcame this by creating updated drawings to guide the process. Leveraging our extensive experience in producing rail forge components, we were able to deliver parts that were precisely tailored to the Trust’s exact specifications.
Process Insights
Our team’s ability to forge and machine high-quality parts was crucial in advancing the project. Each production step was closely monitored to ensure the connecting rods met safety requirements, as well as the aesthetic and functional standards needed for a historical locomotive.
Impact and Outcome
Fitting of the connecting rods is planned for early this year, marking a major milestone in the Trust’s goal of creating a fully operational locomotive. This collaboration is significant for the Trust, as they depend on reliable suppliers who understand the importance of maintaining historical accuracy while delivering high-quality, durable parts.
Future Implications
Looking ahead, this partnership highlights Somers’ ability to blend heritage with innovation. Unlike other companies, we are more than willing to take on one-off custom parts and provide the engineering support needed to ensure each product is fit for purpose. The Trust’s dedication to preserving Britain’s railway history perfectly aligns with our approach, enabling future generations to experience this rich heritage. We’re proud to be a key contributor to safeguarding this legacy with precision and care.
