MCMT apprentices on track with new Bridgnorth ‘Catch Me Who Can’ arts trail

Apprentices from the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) have played a crucial role in helping turn an exciting new arts trail into reality.

The training centre, along with shareholder partner Grainger & Worrall, was challenged by Bridgnorth Council to produce a casting representing the famous ‘Catch Me Who Can’ locomotive – the world’s first fare-paying passenger train built in the town in 1808.

A team of eight engineers were given the task as part of their ongoing learning and immediately grasped the opportunity to come up with the right process, starting with a CAD model before developing a sample casting using Digital Sand Printing.

When sign-off was agreed, the apprentices – all aged between 17 and 23 – got to work on the actual manufacture, which involved overcoming various complications regarding the security of the statue when in situ, the design and the process for casting the trains.

Before beginning production of the trains, the team completed a Magma simulation to predict any shrinkage and porosity issues that could occur during the casting or cooling process.

Once manufactured, the statues were then transported to MCMT consortium partner Salop Design & Engineering to be powder coated ready for painting.

“This is a fantastic project for our apprentices to take part in and a great way for them to apply their learning into something that will be seen by thousands of local people and tourists,” explained Matthew Snelson, Managing Director at the MCMT and Director of Grainger & Worrall.

“We gave the eight-strong team the responsibility to lead from the very start of the commission, exploring different casting methods, taking advantage of the latest simulation technology and seeing what it means to work together and meet deadlines.”

He continued: “The end result is fantastic and more than surpasses what the Council first envisaged. We’re now looking forward to seeing how the locomotives look in situ.”

The ‘Catch Me Who Can’ Arts Trail will be officially launched on Saturday 28th July, with the 12 iconic statues positioned across landmark viewpoints in the town, including Friar Street, the High Street, Quayside, Severn Park and Severn Valley Railway.

MCMT www.mcmt.co.uk