Locomotive Management including Cylinder Cocks

Both videos of the departure from Peterborough show steam coming out of the drain cocks for about 30 seconds before the train moves. Was that the driver being extra cautious about getting every drop of water out of the cylinders, the brakes taking a long time to release, or what?

 

The train was pulled out of KX and the driver did the normal thing of releasing the brake to the control of the diesel and leaving the cocks open. The diesel driver then had sole control of the train. Steam was not put on until about halfway to the footbridge and then only lightly to keep lubrication going. After standing for 20 minites the cocks were blown through until out the train shed. The inital steam from the cocks was the normal venting from the regulator and superheaters. You can tell from the videos when steam was actually put on as the snifting valve closes noisily and the cocks blow harder.

 

Wasn't he asking about the Peterborough departure?

 

I was indeed, and I would still be grateful for an explanation, if some kind soul can provide one.

 

Cautious yes, over cautious no. I'm not sure if it was thirty seconds but most drivers leave the cocks open when getting away, especially with load thirteen as we had on Tuesday...especially as conversations before the crew change there (on the up) did mention the possibility of a slip...

 

You can check the length of time on the videos. It is near enough 30 seconds BEFORE any movement. That is surely unusual? No doubt for some good reason, but I would like to know what the reason was, if anyone on here knows.

 

Sorry about the confusion on location. I would suggest mere caution. The rails were wet and frosty, the train heavy and the engine a 3 cylinder machine which tend to slip easily if given too much too quick. Bittern is also fitted with steam operated drains which in my experience tend to blow through the first couple of cyles even if shut from the cab when they not shut before opening the regulator

 

Were the A4 fitted with steam operated cylinder cocks from new ?I remember when the B R 78s ,78020/1, that were fitted ,were sent new to Kettering the shunters in the up and down sidings refusing to work with them due steam obscuring shunting operations.
Slipping ,nothing due to 3 cyls ,the drivers of 3 cyl LMS Jubilees ,liked to be full regulator within 40-50 yards of starting off with a express northbound from Kettering ,up the 1 in 125 to Desboro'.
In my opinion cylinder cocks are completely over done these days ,after leaving St Pancras with a express with say, a train to Manchester ,stopping at all major stations ,the taps under normal conditions wouldn't be opened again until Manchester Central, after waiting for the empty stock to be moved.
Its the same with slipping ,what's the panic over slipping ,these days ? .I've seen engines tyre's glowing red hot in the dark in a bout of slipping.
Platelayers weren't none to happy about the grove in the rail ,but loco was ok.

 

Yeah no problem, lets give NR another excuse to ban steam, after damage to a rail, cant make this up!!!!!

 

Erm, it's not just steam locos that slip. I've seen a 47 with all six wheel sets doing a very good impression of a catherine wheel in full flow.

 

Completely agree Al!

I do love/cringe at some some of the comments/statements people say on here (& overhear at railways) for all we know the drain cocks could have jammed open meaning they were open for longer than expected...

Ultimately the driver is in charge and does as he sees fit in order to ensure the protection of the locomotive; unless you are on the footplate there and then to know exactly why there could be a multitude of reasons why the cocks were open for that length of time.

 

As always it's good to know that there's a lot of people on this forum know a lot more about doing the job than those who are actually doing it.....

 

Well I for one am furious, the last thing I expect to see and hear when I am videoing a steam loco is steam and noise. Its high time the crews were told to stop it at once. They can cut out that smoke sheite as well while they are at.

 

Agreed. It would actually be better for all the photographers if the steam loco was attached to the back with the diesel loco on the front. So all the crud from the loco was virtually out of sight in photos etc.

Or there could be a ban on anyone not regularly involved in getting their hands dirty on main line steam from taking part in any discussions here. This damnable freedom of speech, really bugs me at times.

 

Or be even more progressive and leave the steam loco at the depot, and avoid all the filth and smoke and noise. The Diesel could haul the train to the location where the steam loco is 'stuffed and mounted'. All the punters could take a photo, then get back on the train and be home in time for tea! How radical.

 

I think I was told once that steam on mainline has a regulation to leave with cylinder cocks open to reduce risk of blowing cylinders and causing delays / failure. Expect someone here would know more on that.

 

As a Driver of the odd steam special, I can tell you exactly how long I leave the taps open. Until I am sure that there is no chance of causing any physical damage to the loco by shutting them. There are several clues, and it varies with lots of factors. I know that me and my colleagues always take the greatest care to avoid damaging locos by slipping, sliding, priming, foaming, thrashing. This is out of respect to the locos themselves, and more importantly, respect for the people who have spent thousands of pounds and hours of labour so that we can turn up and Drive them. Those people know who they are, and I thank each and every one of them. Happy New Year. A

 

Very well put and locomotives in this day and age should be treated with great care. One balls up and thousands of pounds are down the drain. In terms of slipping, remember Blue Peter? Although this cannot be blamed on the crew directly as they simply could not shut the regulator and the results were catastrophic.

Turning black the clock, however, in the 60's I seem to recall Southern locomotives slipping every time they left a station. It didn't seem to harm the locomotives and I don't recall the PW gangs moaning about the state of the track. Basingstoke southbound was a classic location for slipping locomotives but worry not, they would be back the following day heading for Waterloo. I am amazed however, that in the preservation era on the mainline, it is very rare for Clan Line, Tangmere, Braunton (and earlier, Taw Valley and City of Wells) to slip in the way it used to be. Why?

Nick