THE first two of six replacement driving wheels for new-build 4-6-0 No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior were cast by William Cook Cast Products in Sheffield in early May. It is necessary to cast six new driving wheels for No. 5551 after cracks were found in the original castings.
The pattern was kindly loaned again by Tyseley Locomotive Works, which originally had it made for ‘Jubilee’ No. 45699 Galatea, which had two driving wheels cut through after it derailed in Barry scrapyard. A small amount of repair work on the wooden pattern was undertaken before casting could take place.
The two new driving wheel pan castings are now being prepared for testing and inspection. Once these have passed satisfactorily, the remaining castings will be produced and tested, until six good castings are available.
The next stage will be proof machining of the castings.