King 6023 to WSR

I can only assume they mean the very end of the running plate where it intersects with the buffer beam. With the number of bits that are having to be shaved off the poor damn loco one wonders at what point one should give up the unequal struggle.

 

That's what I thought, but aren't they wider across the cylinders than buffer beam/running plate anyway, unless its a length issue (ooeerr)

 

Throw on bends, especially curved platforms I suspect. I understand there are pressures to reduce platform clearances to the bare minimum to reduce the chances of people slipping between train and platform. I gain the impression its increasingly an issue with passengers getting clothing or possessions trapped in sliding doors. So I suppose the result is that as soon as one bit is shaved down to clear another bit touches.

 

That front corner must swing out further than the cylinders on bends. They could always shave the flange off the front driving wheels to help it to negotiate curved platforms......

 

Given the new date, I am luckily to have only one pound coin left!
Front-end explanation must wait, alas.
Kind regards
Jos Koopmans

 

It in now into the 7th year of its boiler ticket as the preview day in steam was 31/03/2011.

 

Maybe it's reached the stage where they should sort out the clearance issues, tow it to Somerset for loaded testing of the new drafting, tow it back to Didcot, then take the boiler off for retubing etc and start a new boiler certificate when everything else is ready for main line running. Either that or run it on preserved lines to the end of the extended (10-year) boiler certificate, then retube.

 

What would be the point?

 

At least some income?

 

I suppose all the running gear would be wore in then, bit daft to waste the little remaining of the cert

 

Looking at the busy schedules of the WSR timetables I have some doubt whether this would be feasible. The 6023 would need cover and a 11 coach load,probably both problems in mid-season.
Kind regards
Jos

 

It's a shame that blastpipe testing has been delayed. I guess it's partly because they have so few locos in steaming condition at Didcot at the present time.

I only hope that when the loco does finally go mainline, it is still in the beautiful blue livery.

If they defer main line duties until after an intermediate overhaul, or retube, and then repaint it into 1947 GW livery, it would look like almost all the other GWR 4-6-o's and be a missed opportunity.

 

I agree 6023 should stay in blue as both other two Kings are green and the blue give variety in colours. Plus there is only 6023 and 60007 in BR blue. There is plenty of GWR livery locomotives in Didcot collection anyway.

 

6023 will be in action for one day only - 26th July.
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/events/loco_roster.html

 

It would seem from what Jos says that the SVR would be a better bet as was done with Royal Scot easy to make up a challenging load.

 

But a growing realisation that damage to the infrastructure using over large locos is significant........

 

Big locos have been used on the SVR many times, right up to the Duchess. I would have thought the SVR would welcome 6023 for test running. They tested Royal Scot up to around 50mph between Bewdley and Kidderminster.
I'm sure the enthusiast community will be watching the eventual testing of 6023 with great interest.
It really should be running on the main line by now and producing some outstanding performances.

 

But a growing realisation that damage to the infrastructure using over large locos is significant........

 

If you are correct in what I guess is your assumption, where should locos like 6023 be tested? Only on such lines as the GCR? You haven't stated this, but I don't know of, for example, the SVR being reluctant to use big locos due to infrastructure damage.