At last the long awaited brake wheel which was ordered from
Forest Classics on 7th February 2021 has now been delivered to us at Low End Works.
We believe the delay was caused by the shipment of parts from the Wilesco factory in Germany being held up in Customs at the port of Felixtowe, presumably as a result of Brexit.
The wheel, made from alloy, has now been suitably modified and fitted to replace the temporary plastic brake/power wheel in explosion proof mining loco No6 Dot.
The modifications needed to the Wilesco wheel were:
- Centre hole drilled out to 1/4 inch
- Removal of handle
- Hole drilled in wheel hub and threaded using small tap wrench with 6 BA tap
- Wheel fixed to panel mounted power control potentiometer shaft using a 6 BA brass screw
The locomotive returned to traffic on 14th November 2021 and the wheel was evaluated.
- Further modifications will be now needed to increase the grip available on the outside of the new brake wheel
- This will be achieved by filing the rim to produce a wider surface for fingers to grip
- It will also then require another coat of red paint
