LMS Patriot Project
March 2009
The LMS-Patriot Project has made significant progress with the ordering of two frame plates from Corus Steel at the beginning of October 2008.
Cut from steel measuring 39’ in length, around 4’ high, and 1 1/8” thick, the two new frame plates will form the backbone of the new ‘Patriot’ 4-6-0 ‘The Unknown Warrior’, as well as giving the locomotive its identity for the first time – 45551 – the number of the last ‘Patriot’ that was built.
The two main frame plates will require cutting at Corus and then machining and drilling at The Boro' Foundry before being delivered to the Llangollen Railway Works. Plasma cutting will be used to make the frames the correct shape and they will then be machined around the axle box cut outs, before the horn guides are fitted.
Assembly is due to begin at the Llangollen Railway Works in Spring 2009, by the team led by Dave Owen, CME at Llangollen. Frame stretchers will be produced from polystyrene patterns and plans are already in place with a pattern maker and a foundry to produce these. Other items will then be manufactured including drag boxes and a buffer beam.
The frames are expected to be on display at the ‘Steel, Steam & Stars II’ Gala at Llangollen on the 17th – 25th April 2009, organised by the ‘Betton Grange.
