Reproduction of 1867 Locomotive, Nipper

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Having professionally used water jet cutting to produce carbon fibre parts, a group of Airbus engineers are using this modern technology to reproduce parts for an historic, working 1867 locomotive.

The group of railway enthusiasts and engineers have embarked on a project to reproduce a working model of Nipper, a narrow gauge locomotive in use in the late 19^th century.

In the mid-19^th century, John Ramsbottom, Chief Mechanical Engineer at Crewe railway works, introduced a narrow gauge railway to improve the internal movement of parts and materials within the locomotive construction yards. The first locomotive, Tiny, was built in 1862, followed by Pet, Topsy and Midge by 1870.

Unfortunately, only Pet, now housed in the National Rail Museum in York has survived. However, using only one surviving drawing and an article by John Ramsbottom, published in the 1866 magazine, “Engineering”, as a basis, the intention is to build a replica of Nipper. Using Catia software, an aerospace drawing program, a full set of drawings has been produced. Other modern technologies such as water jet cutting, are aiding in the production of parts in minutes as opposed to days for the original engine.

Dynamic water jet cutting is favored over laser or plasma cutting to produce these parts as there is no heat affected zone or stressing of the steel components. TMC water jet can create parts in virtually any material from stone to foam to stainless steel. What could we do for your business?