Prince with Cylinders on Feb 2008.

Prince as she looks on the 1st August 2005.
16/8/05
Work has progressed on little things like the pony and the pistons.
9/9/05
Hold your breath... Work on the cylinders has started properly. The pistons have been drilled, and next week it may be possible to attach the pistons to the piston rod. Although still weeks and weeks to go, at least the job has started.
To pass the time, the regulator handle is progressing at a steady pace. The fusable plug has been ordered (at the same time as a new one for Goss).
I have worked out the pivot point of the pony, and once the cylinders are mounted the pivot point bracket will be constructed. I have also started to sketch out the shape for the cab, and hopefuly will get this ordered around christmas time.
Another plus is that the piping for the manifold has been worked out, and work may start on this, in the odd free moments.
Goss boiler repairs are nearing completion so it may be possible to spend a few weekends straight playing with Prince until the winter track works begins and takes up a lot of time.
29/9/05
Work on the pistons have started, the regulator handle is made and things are slowly coming together.
18/10/05
Well work continues on the pistons as time and Sir Goss allows. The smoke box stand is almost complete and other minor jobs have been moved forward. The pressure gauge and remaining water gauge have now arrived, and I have some rough designs for the cab, but along way off deciding which one as yet.
14/11/05
I am presently spending my time turing up the pistons, this is slow process, but I am optomistic of getting these done in good time. I have created a vast amount of swarf of late, and I am sure loads more is on its way.

16/12/05
Despite the gruelly schedule of getting Goss finished for the Santa's and a bit help (not a lot at all really) to The Rosie team, I am
startled to report that the first piston is finished (yes the grin on my face say's it all). As shown by the picture above. If everything hold together I might even
get the next one done next week. Then I can do the covers and the dreaded steam chest I would think comes after that. I am learning lots and with out the resident lathe wonderman (Mr Beevers) then
this type of job would have scared the hell out of me. Instead I am learning new things and having great fun, creating lots and lots of swarth. The Gauge glass fitting are not mounted on the boiler, and as soon
as see my next door neighbour I am hoping my cladding will be rolled to the right size. It is all very exciting stuff at the moment.
10/1/2006
Firstly happy new year to all that read this site. I am sure you will be glad to know that the cylinders are progressing, with the front covers now fixed to the cylinders and both pistons machined to fit its cylinder.
Work on the dreaded back covers start this week, and I hope will progress in a similar steady fashion.
10/2/2006
The coal shute for the tender has now been made and installed to the tender. Designs for the water filler cap have been made and work started. The rear of the coal bunker is shaped and almost ready to install.
Once these items are finished, the tender will have its water feed pipes fitted, and tested for leaks. Hopefully it will not leak and she can then be finally put together and await painting. As for the "chuffing bits" or cylinders? Well,
now the front covers are finished, the rear covers are machines and now need drilling and tapping to fit the cylinder block. Some milling will be required to them as well, but impressively the cylinders now look like cylinders. Soon the steam chest work
will begin I think.
24/2/2006
Firstly the tender has been tested for water retention. No water leaks, hurray. I have constructed the hinged water filler cap, which looks a bit crude, so I will "veneer" it and make it look a bit prettier (hopefully).
The first brass steam seal to push the packing in to rear steam chest cover was machined up last night. It took longer to cut the casting in two than it did to machine one of them up. The under side of the tender roof has now been painted, so
next week the tender roof can be fitted to the tender, bolted on and prep for painting can start.
26/3/2006
Well the brass seals are finished for the cylinders. The tender is now fully primed, and needs its piping finished. The boiler has been removed from the frames so that I
can weld the underside of frames, and all those pieces I will never get to again. The boiler cladding is due to arrive the end of next month. The cab design is now getting nearer to its finished design.
The christmas tree manifold is now basically in place, and gives an idea of where all the controls will be. The next job is the chimney and the steam chest. Both of which are going to take a lot of time to machine.
I am for the first time bang on the schedule I set myself in January, and I hope to move in front of the schedule over the next few weeks - fingers crossed.
20/4/2006
Firstly the boiler cladding has been rolled and some "alterations" are needed to hole placements, but nothing to major (I hope). The boiler is off the frames and the frames have been turned over so I can weld some of the bits on underneath. Hopefully only one more upside
occassion to go. The steam chest milling has started and should take up the next few weeks, but on the plus side, it should not be long before the cylinders are completely finished (This was expected to be end of June\July!).
16/5/2006
Well looking back the last 4 weeks has actually been quite fruitful. First the chimney, well after finishing I discovered I made it 3" too long, so I will have to re-machine the pipe again, oh well!. The front pony pivot mounting
plate is now made, and work will start on finally finishing the pony (hurray). Pete Beevers has drawn up the mock cab, and that should be going on order very soon. The platework has been started for the running board, and the front middle plate
finally finished (it sounded a small job, but it really isn't). The firebox cladding cover has been altered and now fits, only to discover that the barrel is about 2mm to long, so some work with an angle grinder is expected soon as well.
My next few jobs are to continue the attack on the cylinders and steam chest, and I still aim to have these completed by the end of June\July. I am also now getting the itch to make the reversing lever, I don't know why that has the agenda, but it something to do!
On the observational front, It is quite interested to chart the changes of average people's attitude. 3+ years ago I was told I would never build it, 2 years ago it was going to be built, Last year people were asking when it would be finished (I have a date in my head but I am not going to
write it down in case I fail - or more likely Goss does!), to now the most common question is what colour are you going to paint "her". Well for those 10 or so people who avidly read this site, it will be either LNER apple green (Flying Scotsman proper colour!, Or a Souther Railway green, or a very deep Red something a kin
to the Dark Crimson lake of the LMS). I have also welded the brake arm, and now that is for want of a better word, set in stone. However testing of the brakes has shown it should work. I also have to note, that my rather cunning idea of the lengthening the cab to make the engine look bigger so the tender does not seem so huge
(hench is apparently the word from the younger members!) seems to also have worked, when we looked at it with the paper cut out.
26/5/2006
Oh dear, alarm bells are ringing I have fallen behind the schedule (first time this year). Mainly due to fixing other engines, track and odd bits here and there. On the plus side the cab bits have arrived. I couldn't resist mocking them up, and "oh my word" she is a beautiful monster. (Biased me never!).
Work continues on those cylinders, and I am still optomistically hopeful of getting my cylinders onto the frames by the end of July (Optomistic is the word here!). I have 1 weld left to do and the pony is complete. Sadly that's all I have to report!
26/7/2006
Well I am still behind schedule, Goss and Mallard failures have eaten into my schedule, but I have clawed back some time. Driver side cylinder is not almost complete, and one thing I know is that the next cylinder will not take anywhere near as long. I keep on meaning to take pictures of the rough assembled cab, for the website,
so we can see the engine in all its predicted glory and rather too long chimney. I have managed to cut up some of the angle to hold the cab together so at least other bits of work have started as well.
17/9/06
I have fallen behind schedule, but no great shock there. The frames have been altered to allow the pony to swing properly (easier said than done). The cylinders edge closer and closer to completion, which
is a slow process, made slower by me! The boiler barrell cladding has been altered and now should fit, and after welding the cab together, I noticed that I had done it slightly out of square so had to "break" the welds. The pressure gauge has been
fitted to the cab, mainly so I could feel like something major had happened. Whistle location was going to be in front of the cab, but my new feeling is this should be on the dome. I am looking forward to finishing the cyliners so I can get them
bolted on finally, and then start the valve gear, which I am really looking forward to doing, as it is the last major job with the mill and lathe.
26/9/06
I have just realised that I am 4 holes and 3 jobs on the lathe away from mechanically finishing the cylinders - end is in sight. Next job after that is the "hours and hours" to get them on the Frames and in the right place.

Prince with her cab mocked up on her!
16/10/06
Well the really hard work on the lathe is over for the cylinders "rejoice". I am now busy on the mill and have started 1 cross head and 1 steam chest top hat. So everything is going smoothly again although behind schedule.
I have posted a picture of what Prince will look like above. Once the "top hats" are machined and the two remaining drain cock holes are tapped, I am going to start the long job of fitting them to the frames. Estimated time to just fit them to the
frames is about 10 hours. So I suspect that is nearer 15-20 hours. I might get the cab welded up this week, just to do something that isn't the normal mill or lathe.
8/12/06
Well Goss as is common this time of year has taken up a fair amount of my time, and so has relaying 70metres of track ready for the Santa Specials. However some items have progressed. Firstly the
brake handle has been cut by the laser cutter and I now need to make the upright. I keep on longingly looking at the cab, and I hope to weld this up over the Santa Special season (other engine repairs not counting). I have also been working on a clever bit of plate
that will help line up the holes in the frame to that of those in the cylinder... Well so my theory goes, time will tell?!? Lets hope the planned retube of rosie after the Santa's doesn't take too much of my time!!!
12/01/07
Well Santa's have finished, and the Owd Rosie re-tube beckons. However I have welded up the sides of the cab (hurray) and a fine looking cab it is too. Work on the special mounting plate for the cylinders has also progressed, and I may even have the first cylinder on the engine by the next update.
On a slightly different subject, the Mallards boiler is in need of serious repair, and the work on this boiler may well give me more work to do outside of Prince.
21/02/2007
I am just 6 hours away of finishing the drivers side Cylinder block to the frames (6 hours is roughly how long it takes to drill the remaining 6 holes).
It is certainly starting to come together.
19/3/2007
Well the holes to fit the drivers cylinder are done, but I now need to drill the holes for the steam pipe. I have managed to drill a hole in the tender for piping the water from the outlet pipe to the engine... (its just drilling at the moment really!).
10/4/2007
One cylinder can now be fitted to the frames, getting on with finishing the cross head for the cylinder so I can mount it semi permanently. Also taken the opportunity to do some painting on the frames. Still plodding along making progress (slowly though)
19\4\2007 - bonus update!
today for absolutely no reason I thought I would read through this page - What a laugh. I had forgotten half the things I had done and the pain of it all - but in a good way (character building possible). So I thought I would put this extra update in, mainly because this
page seems to have a bit of a cult following (you are all mad do you know that MAD... Not as mad as me obviously!). As you will no doubt have noted I refer to my famous schedule a lot, and in fairness this really does exist, and sits in my little folder at home. Every few months I re-wrtie the schedule, but by the first schedule
I am now 2.5 years late finishing the engine (and no valve gear has been started yet), but now in my wisdom I have learnt why... A because I drink too much Tea, B I only get time to work on Prince on a Thursday night, often after a depressing\gruelling or bad day at work and or the odd weekend C: When you then
add on Goss fixing time (sadly this is now in my schedule!) I am somewhat amazed I get anything done. Solution I hear you cry... Stop drinking Tea. Rumour has it I would die if I did that? So to all you lovely readers, thank you for the support and encouragement I get over the email. Also to those people
that ask really odd questions, they always welcome, I may not know the answer though? So what of progress. Well after drilling out those damned holes (the most boring job I have ever suffered) I thought I would have a break and mill some more of the cross heads. So that's what I am doing now. I am going to do one cross head, fix it to the cylinder, polish up the steam chest valve and slightly machine it (I realised I forgot a part of it!) and put that
cylinder on the engine. Then repeat for the other side. Who knows when this will be done, but the "famous" schedule says I should have all this done by the summer. Realistically probably Autumn. either way, it is still the most enjoyable thing I have ever built, and she will be built when she is built. I would say watch this space, but I know you all do, and I will keep on updating it with progress in my own (poor grammar and even worse spelling) way. Before I go, I am also very pleased to
say that the other engine being built for the SNBR is progressing, and will no doubt see the light of day before me, the reason why I mention it is that the builder of Jim, has been a real rock of motivation, advice and just all round great bloke, so Doc, thank you.
11\5\2007
Cross head is all set up to be drilled and bored to then mount on to the piston rod, Expected to drill 1 of the 3 remaining holes over the next few weeks in the tender, and then get it off for painting.
20\6\2007
Cross head number 2 has been progressing, with the first one now fitted with a bearing. Work on getting Romulus ready and other gala activities have given me a pleasent rest from all things Prince. Now fully refreshed, she has returned to the top of the agenda.
19\7\07
Another month and another update. The cross heads are continueing very well, the hand brake handle has been made, and engine brakes are nearing completion. Some minor work has occured on the piping to the engine from the tender. So all in all good progress. The cab is resting on the engine to all
ergonic design of the brake handle position to be managed, it also makes me realise what a monster I am building. Over the next month, time is likely to be limited, but I hope to finish the milling of the cross heads, and even to get the brake finished.
20\8\07
I have finally finished the milling of the cross heads (hurray!). Unfortunately got to bore them now, as well as some bits of drillings, but then it will be done. Some minor work has occured on the brakes, and I will no doubt finish this soon. My next "major" job is 20 hours of drilling to fit the other cylinder to the frames, not including the other 5 - 10 hours work, tapping the holes in
the cylinder to mount it on the frames. However (and with a big sigh). I am reliable informed that these are the most labour intensive jobs, so after that, bit should appear on the engine far quicker (famous last words!).
28/9/07
Plate to drills the holes for the last cylinder has now been welded to the frames, so drilling starts at my next visit. The Reverser handle has moved forward, and actually works, I need to just put on some "stainless" to make the grip part look nicer and then that is done as well. Cross heads only require oil holes to be drilled and then they are done too.
I have also completed the front pony (hurray)! So basically a lot of progress has been made and a huge step forward has been made. Next jobs are to finish drilling the holes for the cylinders and then the chuffing bits can be fitted (state or shock!). Then I am planning to turn down the chimney to the right length and finally fit this to the smoke box (and another tick in the box complete). The brake handle
has been finished (hurray), and once the running plate has been placed on the machine the final weld can be added and she will have stopping ability. Cab roof is awaiting to be rolled, and then the cab can be finally fitted. Of course once the cylinders are connected to the cross head (finally) then the work on the valve gear can begin.
2/11/07
Its amazing what can happen in a month, firstly the man flu - yes I got it and I didn't get much done, but on the plus side. Reverser arm completed, minus the pivot hole.
The holes for the cylinders are done. The cross head sliders are partially made, the piston rod is awaiting a M16 die so the cross heads, and motion bracket can be fitted for good! (scary). Some valve gear work has started, namely the small end folk has been made, ready for "fixing" into final position once cross head it fitted and
cylinders bolted on. The running plates for the fireman side have also commenced, and mighty fine they look too. Amazing how useful the chimney has become, for bending curves into metal. Next projects are: gaskets all round the cylinders (I suspect this will take longer than I think), fixing cylinders to frames (ditto), Fixing crosshead to picton rod (I suspect ditto too), fixing motion bracket...
I have also dug out the return crank for machining. Somewhere on the list is finishing the chimney too!
5/12/07
After completing mucking up my first return crank, I am now working on number 2 and a replacement to the first one I mucked up. More plate work has progressed, but due to other committments namely track work and a trip to cornwall not as much has been done since the last update, but at least things are progressing.
27/12/07
Number 2 crank completed, replacement crank almost finished, so not a "useless" December this year (phew!). Piston to Cross heads are now nearing the horizon, so its all go on the valve gear. The bearing for the reverser is now in, and it works too. So "every little" helps. As is normal for December I spent a lot of time working on the Santa's with more than a usual amount of time spent driving this year, due to a lack of
steam drivers on certain days, but as I got to drive Tinkerbell (my favourite engine) certainly no complaints from me. On the plus side, on some days we had plenty of drivers, hence I got more done than normal over the Santa's. So all in all not bad.