The South Devon Railway Enthusiasts' site

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY COMMISSIONS ITS WHEEL PRESS
Wheel Press
Wheel Press
Pressing off the wheel pans from a Maunsell wheelset© Richard Elliot 2010

Last year SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY ENGINEERING acquired a wheel press that had been in store for some while at the Severn Valley Railway. Originally it came from Derby Works.
Now, after restoration and installation at Buckfastleigh, it is back in action and has dealt with the removal of its first pair of wheel pans from an axle.
This particular pair of wheels is a set of Maunsell wheels from an historic carriage based on the Bluebell Railway in need of attention as a result of a suspect axle. The photographs show the wheel press set up for action with the wheelset in place and with one wheel having already been removed. The other picture is of the wheel just removed and the axle lowered to the ground.

Update February 2011

On Sunday 27th February 2011 the South Devon Railway re-assembled the Maunsel wheels above onto a new axle.

Wheel Press
The wheel pan is lined up on the new axle© Gavin Bishop 2011
Wheel Press
The wheel pan pushed about half way onto new axle.© John Keohane 2011
Wheel Press
The finished wheelset is checked for gauge© John Keohane 2011

November 2013

Wheel Press tent
In order to extend the usability of the wheel press it has gained a tent for the winter© John Keohane 2013

Return to Home Page

© South Devon Railway Association 2011-3


Home Page B0-B0 33 002 2-8-0 3803 RM1872 W55000 95979 W2180 Drive a locomotive 0-6-0PT 1369 Location