44767 at Butterley for the Winter

I think this is great news for this unique black 5 because it says on prlct's site that major work shall be carried out while the locomotive is there. Does anyone know more?

 

I believe that she is being prepped for a return to the ML going by the headline on the front of the new issue of Heritage Railway out on Thursday. I had an email preview of the next issue sent to me today and it mentions 44767's return to the ML.

 

And a very sensible use of PRCLT manpower rendered available by the lack of winter maintenance of 46233 this time.
It could be another loco for Steam Dreams, if it returns to Norfolk, or possibly another Jacobite loco for 2015? It will certainly be terrific to see 44767 at full chat again on the main line.

 

In that case we must pray for no diesel assistance. It's been many a year since I went behind 4767 on the big railway.

 

With Ian Riley on this, you cant beat a Black Five

 

2015.. year of the 5 ??

44767, 44871, 44932, 45212, 45231, 45305, 45407...

but how many is too many ? it's been a while since 45305 ran mainline now..but theres scope for a killer railtour there though..

 

And maybe paired up with stablemate 76084 soon?
A new pocket rocket black 5 duo to come.

 

How's about 1 does the Cornish leg of The Great Briton and another takes it wherever it finishes up in scotland this year? Meanwhile various others could do the other days of this tour :-D

 

I think you could be right.

 

And 44767 is the GTi version too

 

It was stuck at K&WVR in the summer due to West Coasts ban ans missed its book turns on the NWCE.

According to the latest Heritage Railway 44767 and 76084 are both subject to negotiations for new long term hire contracts at the NNR.

 

Makes sense for the Cromer service, with 61306, gives 3 for the service (that needs top and tailing), so I presume there maybe a few more that might migrate that way

 

I believe I read the B12 was being considered for the Cromer service, subject to raising funds for the necessary equipment.

 

Without trying to sound ignorant is it slightly more powerful? Is it a bit more free running than a 'standard' (if theres such thing) Black 5?

 

IMHO, 44767 is definitely stronger than a run-of-the-mill Black 5. I reckoned on it being a coach better when at the NYMR. i.e., you could take 8 with relative ease whereas 8 with a normal Black 5 is putting it at the limit.
As for there being a 'Standard' Black 5, the others mat be the same but every one is different; certainly the case with 44767, 44806, 44871, 45110, 45212, 45407 & 45428. Still to try the rest!

 

Cheers Steve always wonder what those at the sharp end think of their various steeds. Though I dare say what some folks think may contain a few expletives!

 

Strange thing is that when 4767 was tested on the Rugby Plant, the report was very unfavourable, saying that the power output was lower than other Black Fives tested. This came as news to the crews regularly using her, most of whom felt she was one coach better than a Walshaerts geared engine, which were heaps better than the Caprottis. A similar view followed her - justifiably - into preservation.

 

I think I've read somewhere that the GWR's 2-cylinder locos with Stephenson gear were/are better at slogging up hill while the 4-cylinder ones with Walschaerts were/are better at running fast; something to do with the amount of lead (?) changing or not changing with cut-off settings. That might be part of the explanation of a discrepancy between test results on the plant and crews' experience.

 

Yes, with Walshaerts gear, the lead was given by the piston's stroke via combination lever and was therefore constant for any setting of the reverser. The lead for Stephenson's gear derived directly from the two eccentrics and varied with the cut-off. The GWR set it so that, at full cut-off, the lead was actually negative, making their engines very strong at low speed. 4767, I believe, was set up similarly.

 

That's exactly what a very helpful and knowledgeable man told me when I was looking round the loco works at Ropley during the recent Mid Hants Gala. -i.e., their engine, 45379, may be one of 18 preserved black fives, but each one has its own idiosyncracies. Of course, 44767 has Stephenson valve gear, which makes it a bit more different than the others, but 45305 was always reckoned to be a "Black Five Gti" and a bit better than most of the others for some reason. Am I not right in thinking it had a good reputation in the final years of its BR service? Also, I'm intrigued as to why 44871 usually leads 45407 when they run in tandem. If they were both identical, this would seem rather illogical.

I've always thought it is a shame that neither 44686 nor 44687 survived into preservation. Personally, I don't think the double chimney and high running board improved their looks, but I am intrigued as to how they performed compared with other black fives.

Going back to the theme of this hread, it would be good to see 44767 on the main line again, and 76084 for that matter.