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2859

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Reading General, Nov 30, 2017.

  1. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    you won't be able to see this if you aren't on Facebook

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2023207431268665&set=pcb.10156563642301151&type=3&theater

    2859 left Llangollen today for it's Owner's engineering workshop in Congleton
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2017
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  2. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Enquiry: Watching a programme on the evolution of the preservation movement, I noticed 2859 carried a white "x" above the numberplate, where GW colour coded restriction idents normally live. Can anyone please enlighten me as to the meaning of the "x"?
     
  3. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    I might be wrong but I think it is something to do with the driving wheel balancing.
     
  4. Nick Gough

    Nick Gough Well-Known Member

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    "Certain two-cylinder engines, including Counties, Halls, Granges and ROD 2-8-0's, have been permitted to take loads above those laid down in the working books, and this is indicated on the engines by a white 'X' painted above the number plate. This was introduced early in the recent war and is still in force at the time of writing." (RCTS - Locomotives of the GWR Part 1)
     
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  5. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Cheers Nick. No surprise then that the guy who rescued it said he soon knew why BR had scrapped it and described it's pre-restoration condition as being "like a bag of bolts"........ months was spent tracking down a replacement left hand cylinder (successfully). Options like a new casting still lay years in the future. If I owned the thing, I'm not 100% sure that's anything I'd want to commemorate! :)

    ...... and I always thought it was the North Western who thrashed their locos into the ground! I wonder how other 'x' designated locos fared?
     
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  6. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    I thought that it was 2857 that had the cracked cylinder casting when it was first restored and a replacement acquired from Briton Ferry steelworks - or am I misunderstanding your post?
    Ray.
     
  7. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Frankly Ray, it's more likely I just got the number wrong .... my back was giving me gyp and I was up watching a recording at 03:30 and I'm astounded I remembered watching it at all!
     
  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    2857 definitely had the benefits of the cash Britton Ferry discovery ;)
     
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  9. GW 5972

    GW 5972 New Member

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    Boilers were swapped between classes randomly and those with higher superheat ie later or modified versions were allowed higher loadings, signified by the X on the cabside, common on Halls and Granges.
     
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