Vann
21st September 2015, 08:39 PM
When picking up the Machinery Record card for my recently acquired Preston bandsaw, I was able to peruse the cards of a few other machines. The notes on one machine were more extensive. I don't have a blog, so I'll reproduce them here, to bore you to death, and for future researchers :;.
The machine in question is a Wadkin RMA Combined Surfacing & Thicknessing Machine – or to be more precise, two Wadkin RMAs
The first letter in the file is from the Comptroller of Stores (I love that word 'Comptroller' :q) of New Zealand Railways, to the Managers of the Hutt Railway Workshops (Wellington) and the Hillside Railway Workshops (Dunedin). Dated 17th September, 1942
THICKNESSER MACHINE FOR PATTERN SHOP : HUTT & HILLSIDE
The General Manager has authorised the purchase of two thicknesser machines, one each for Hutt and Hillside.
Please, therefore, arrange to order the following machines. : -
2 Wadkin combined surfacing and thicknessing machines, type R.M. 16" size.
1 No. for each of Hutt and Hillside.
The local agents for Wadkin machinery are Messers. J.C. Riddell & Company.
Please refer to Treasury Authority Ty.510 No.39/779.
CHIEF MECH. ENGINEER.
Works Manager,
HUTT.
For you information. As requested by the Establishment & Efficiency Committee for the Pattern Shop. Estimated completed cost 410 pounds. Loco.204A* No. S.M.1166 has been issued.
P.R. ANGUS
CHIEF MECH. ENGINEER. 17.9.42
* Note: a Loco.204 was a Railway Dept work order for external purchases.
I worked for maybe two weeks in the Pattern Shop at Hutt Railway Workshops in 1980. I was impressed by the variety and age of the patterns stored there. There were patterns for all the components for locomotive, steam powered Westinghouse air pumps (for train braking system). When I asked about patents on such items I was told that due to the difficulty of obtaining parts during WW2, they had to make their own parts.
Which raises the question: if it was so hard to get parts from the States during the war, why did they order two big Wadkins from UK? I'm under the impression that ships were being sunk left, right, and centre :C
Anyway, I have no further information on the Hillside machine, but the Hutt machine, RMA 839, was packed and checked, ready for dispatch, on the 18 October 1943, and was supplied with:
- One each double ended spanners 5/16" x 3/8", 7/16" x 1/2", 9/16" x 5/8".
- One 5/8" hexagon double handled box spanner.
- One cutter setting key.
- Key for 1/2" whit. hexaon hole safety screw.
- Four 1/2" x 1 3/4" hexagon screws with washers for bottom table.
- Four 5/8" washers for dovetail cutterbolts (To be sent in labelled bag)
- One pair of knives (in cutterblock)
- Crank handle for Top Table.
- Fence complete with two spring holders & springs.
- Telescopic Guard complete with chain & weight.
- Grease Gun.
- Sample tin of ball bearing grease.
and as extra equipment: -
- 1 pair HSS Knives.
To be continued (if you're not asleep yet :roll:)
Cheers, Vann.
The machine in question is a Wadkin RMA Combined Surfacing & Thicknessing Machine – or to be more precise, two Wadkin RMAs
The first letter in the file is from the Comptroller of Stores (I love that word 'Comptroller' :q) of New Zealand Railways, to the Managers of the Hutt Railway Workshops (Wellington) and the Hillside Railway Workshops (Dunedin). Dated 17th September, 1942
THICKNESSER MACHINE FOR PATTERN SHOP : HUTT & HILLSIDE
The General Manager has authorised the purchase of two thicknesser machines, one each for Hutt and Hillside.
Please, therefore, arrange to order the following machines. : -
2 Wadkin combined surfacing and thicknessing machines, type R.M. 16" size.
1 No. for each of Hutt and Hillside.
The local agents for Wadkin machinery are Messers. J.C. Riddell & Company.
Please refer to Treasury Authority Ty.510 No.39/779.
CHIEF MECH. ENGINEER.
Works Manager,
HUTT.
For you information. As requested by the Establishment & Efficiency Committee for the Pattern Shop. Estimated completed cost 410 pounds. Loco.204A* No. S.M.1166 has been issued.
P.R. ANGUS
CHIEF MECH. ENGINEER. 17.9.42
* Note: a Loco.204 was a Railway Dept work order for external purchases.
I worked for maybe two weeks in the Pattern Shop at Hutt Railway Workshops in 1980. I was impressed by the variety and age of the patterns stored there. There were patterns for all the components for locomotive, steam powered Westinghouse air pumps (for train braking system). When I asked about patents on such items I was told that due to the difficulty of obtaining parts during WW2, they had to make their own parts.
Which raises the question: if it was so hard to get parts from the States during the war, why did they order two big Wadkins from UK? I'm under the impression that ships were being sunk left, right, and centre :C
Anyway, I have no further information on the Hillside machine, but the Hutt machine, RMA 839, was packed and checked, ready for dispatch, on the 18 October 1943, and was supplied with:
- One each double ended spanners 5/16" x 3/8", 7/16" x 1/2", 9/16" x 5/8".
- One 5/8" hexagon double handled box spanner.
- One cutter setting key.
- Key for 1/2" whit. hexaon hole safety screw.
- Four 1/2" x 1 3/4" hexagon screws with washers for bottom table.
- Four 5/8" washers for dovetail cutterbolts (To be sent in labelled bag)
- One pair of knives (in cutterblock)
- Crank handle for Top Table.
- Fence complete with two spring holders & springs.
- Telescopic Guard complete with chain & weight.
- Grease Gun.
- Sample tin of ball bearing grease.
and as extra equipment: -
- 1 pair HSS Knives.
To be continued (if you're not asleep yet :roll:)
Cheers, Vann.