If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

35018 British India Line

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by 34014, Sep 23, 2014.

  1. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    The problem to me would not be so much the number of available eyes but the quality of vision down that RHS. There are situations where the driver is utterly reliant on his mate for visual information. The vantage points on the footplate are limited enough without it being impaired further.
     
  2. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2014
    Messages:
    17,609
    Likes Received:
    11,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    St Leonards
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That is i part my question visability down the boiler is always restricted, and the fireman needs to have a clear view of the road just as much as the driver does, whilst im not questioning the fitters abilities , the loss of clear vision due to the leak must be a factor, what concerns me is the safety element does it reduce the firemans view ahead, it may not, , one thing i noticed from a video is that the steam appears to be coming above the valve as if the leak is on the steam pipe to the cylinder rather than the valve spindle ?
     
  3. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2006
    Messages:
    11,930
    Likes Received:
    10,088
    Occupation:
    Gentleman of leisure, nowadays
    Location:
    Near Leeds
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    About time we had a warning system, then, because, if the driver and fireman need to have a clear view ahead, trains will stop running in fog. Oh, we already have? It's called AWS and TPWS. No worries, then.
     
    jnc, Matt37401, sycamore and 3 others like this.
  4. fergusmacg

    fergusmacg Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2008
    Messages:
    6,573
    Likes Received:
    3,950
    Occupation:
    Design Engineer
    Location:
    Cumbria
    But let's face it they can hardly agree on the use of driverless taxi's never mind trains! It is useful to put it into perspective, if it's a minor blow (drain taps, glands passing a bit) you can live with it, however looking at the second clip of that YouTube video (post 2650) it's somewhat more than that. Listening to it carefully it does appear to be more of a continious roar which does point to something else apart from the valve glands, but without getting close and personal to the locomotive it's very speculative to make any such diagnosis.
     
  5. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    A fair enough point Steve, my contention being why would you take a loco out in a degraded state knowing RHS vision will likely be significantly compromised? As I said up thread, maybe my mode of thinking is too risk averse.
    As to the cause of the leak, I am not going to speculate any further having incurred some WC displeasure last time I did so and was firmly put straight.
     
  6. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2007
    Messages:
    35,121
    Likes Received:
    20,771
    Occupation:
    Training moles
    Location:
    The back of beyond
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    No disrespect and times have changed of course but certainly towards the end of term you'd see locos in daily service leaking like a sieve.
     
    Johnb likes this.
  7. fergusmacg

    fergusmacg Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2008
    Messages:
    6,573
    Likes Received:
    3,950
    Occupation:
    Design Engineer
    Location:
    Cumbria
    Vision on the footplate is needed for more than just spotting signals, imagine the press outcry if a steam loco hit someone (at low speed) at a foot crossing when it was "compromised" by such a steam leak?
     
    26D_M likes this.
  8. 76079

    76079 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2006
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    11
    Which being a main line driver you are taught us to be used in conjunction with your very extensive route knowledge! If either of those systems bring you to a stand its a very big deal!!! In fog you drive slower, a lot slower until you can see what you need to see! AWS and TPWS are a last resort! If you cannot see because of a vehicle defect it should be failed on the spot!
     
    Romsey and 26D_M like this.
  9. std tank

    std tank Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2005
    Messages:
    3,807
    Likes Received:
    946
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Liverpool
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    AWS and TPWS do not tell you if there is an obstruction on the line.
     
    26D_M likes this.
  10. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    Whilst true, is that really the benchmark you judge things by? If it starts and stops its fit to run?
     
  11. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    That is what I find perplexing about the decision making when WC must know its actions will be under close review consequent upon earlier safety related incidents? Happily the trip seems to have been incident free but why invite the potential scrutiny?
     
  12. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2014
    Messages:
    14,315
    Likes Received:
    16,391
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired, best job I've ever had
    Location:
    Buckinghamshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Correct, the problem really is nothing new, if you look at this there are leaks both sides. Shut the regulator to observe signals!

    IMG_1273.JPG
     
  13. fergusmacg

    fergusmacg Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2008
    Messages:
    6,573
    Likes Received:
    3,950
    Occupation:
    Design Engineer
    Location:
    Cumbria
    It isn't new, but we live in different times which are sadly more litigious. . . .
     
  14. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    35,445
    Likes Received:
    9,143
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Location:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    But at 60 mph if you see an obstruction, in all but a few instances, it's probably too late.
     
  15. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    35,445
    Likes Received:
    9,143
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Location:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Post 2665. "I am not going to speculate any further having incurred some WC displeasure last time I did so and was firmly put straight."
     
    williamfj2 likes this.
  16. fergusmacg

    fergusmacg Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2008
    Messages:
    6,573
    Likes Received:
    3,950
    Occupation:
    Design Engineer
    Location:
    Cumbria
    Indeed, but if the crew can't see properly how can you can sound a warning to a trespasser, P-Way, livestock or even someone on a crossing? It also gives you the opportunity to slow down even if you can't stop in time.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2018
    std tank likes this.
  17. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    "AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK ......." was the part of that quote you carefully omitted.
    Have I speculated? No, please do not try to create an issue by taking things out of context.
     
    Bean-counter likes this.
  18. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    It really beggars belief that folk are citing conditions at the demise of steam, in wobegone conditions, unkempt and uncared for as some sort of vindication for a decision taken in 2018.
    Staggering, but then "wisdom comes with age", as Oscar Wilde said, "but sometimes age arrives alone".
     
    Bean-counter likes this.
  19. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    Your point being obscured vision does not matter?
     
  20. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
    Messages:
    9,002
    Likes Received:
    7,891
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired from corporate slavery :o)
    Location:
    Fylde Coast
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Really? A slight overreaction perhaps?
     

Share This Page