The machine shop has a comprehensive range of
conventional
and CNC machine tools. They are well equipped and cover a full range of
precision machining task.
- A Colchester Master 2500 lathe allows turning up to 13” diameter along the bed, and 19” in the gap. The Photo shows a 4" bar being machined to form new safety valves being developed for Talyllyn Railway No 6 Douglas. With a 5hp motor and spindle speed up to 2500rpm, full advantage can be made of indexable carbide tipped tools. Substantial amounts of material can be removed in short order.
The Lathe has a 2 axis digital readout which speeds up high- precision work considerably.
- A Bridgeport Interact 2 series II mill allows manual or
CNC milling of components up to 11” x 30”. The mill is the final link in
the CAD/CAM chain, which allows greatly increased
flexibility and speed in machining.
Quick change tooling, substantial power and 3 axis DRO all contribute to make this a far more effective manual machine than a standard Bridgeport. Setting up, clocking and and changing tools add considerably to to job time on conventional machines - all are greatly reduced.
Extensive use of electronic precision technology is made – all machines have full digital readout capability and all measurement is carried out using digital equipment. This allow total flexibility to transfer between imperial and metric measurement systems, and ensures that accurate machining can be achieved efficiently.
The machine shop is a (fairly) clean environment. Locomotives undergoing refurbishment work are often housed here as this type of work requires constant reference to the machine being worked upon.
In 2006 the stable block was re-furbished and re-planed to provide a large open-plan workshop area. There is a 1tonne overhead gantry and adequate racking for the myriad tools and components that are required for my work. This is a flexible space where vehicles (road and rail) can be stored while in work. Painting, assembly, some woodwork and light fabrication tasks are carried out in this area.
This workshop is now connected to my railway using a modified 2ft gauge wagon turntable dating from the 1800s!