Earlier this week, 10 of our new Year 10 students went out on a particularly special visit to the Locomotive Sheds, on Hopetown Lane in Darlington. Our students were able to see how modern measuring and engineering techniques are used to restore and re-manufacture a 1941 locomotive steam engine – The Prince of Wales.
We loaned our Hexagon measuring arm to industry specialists in high precision engineering alongside colleagues from Bignall Group and Hexagon to begin taking the precise measurements they need to support them with the refurbishment of the Prince of Wales. They used our measuring arm as well as other laser measuring technologies to accurately measure parts of the recently re-manufactured engine and boiler.
The students took a real interest in the way modern technologies are used to replace traditional techniques and manufacture a fully operational copy of the Prince of Wales. They were very impressed with the level of precision the engineers were working to, especially as the engine was so large in size.
This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see technical skills and practices being used to restore iconic pieces of engineering on a huge scale. From all of us here at UTC thank you so much for the opportunity to bring our students together with our industry partners and the local community.