(7) Tram - Getting the wheels turning, Hook fitting, 3D Printing & UniPart Rail

A few things have happened over the last couple of weeks.

I have started to get the wheels turned from the blanks, 3D printed a case for the control unit, and also went on a great tour of the facilities of UniPart Rail!

Wheel clamped in the center lathe with the profile started.

Showing the wheel out of the lathe and how it is still over sized.

Filling the hole that was drilled to take the front hook

A 3d printed case which has been designed to house all the speed control electronics

The first poster in UniPart Rail describing all that they construct and repair

Inside a points control unit

A finished crossing warning light ready to ship

  

Overhead power unit that is used on the EuroTunnel crossing

(6) Tram - Holiday snaps, Grateful Gifts & Some Axle Boxes

We recently went on a holiday down in Devon and stumbled across a brochure for a round Robin tour including Boat, Bus, Steam Train. If you are in the area well worth a visit! http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/tours/round-robin

Totnes puzzle postcard.

The Dartmouth Steam Train (Lydham Manor).

A piece of display 5" Track which has been kindly loaned from the previous Technician for when the frame / chassis is complete to run along.

The beginning's of the axle boxes. They are machined from a square piece of aluminum, and then using the milling machine the slots were cut.

Another view of the milling machine with the cutter in the foreground.

Once the slots are in place, it was over to the center lathe for parting, facing off and drilling. Pictured is the center drill being used. Once the hole was drilled a reamer was used to get the hole perfectly round and to the correct size.

The Axle box covers are cut by hand and then filed to the profile of the axle boxes. They are then drilled for a M2 bolt using a mini pillar drill for complete control.

Axle boxes being tapped for the M2 bolt

The last step is to push fit the Oilite bushings in ready for the axles.