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Steam Ban Nationwide

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Western Venturer, Jun 26, 2018.

  1. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Possibly daft questions, but I'll ask anyway .... are tank locos, designed to operate regularly in either direction, any better or worse than tender locos in this regard? .... and .... are any particular designs known as firethrowers, or include additional features (or geometries) which minimise the problem?
    Indeed. I recall Tom Rolt mentioning an incident when Dolgoch (which apparently had nothing resembling a proper ashpan at that time) vomited the contents of it's firebox onto both it's own valve eccentrics and the "two foot" as a result of hitting a particularly manky (by Talyllyn standards of the era!) rail joint.
     
  2. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    I remember it as well; I also remember that 1975 was actually very similar - it having snowed in June that month too! 1975 gets forgotten for its heat.
     
  3. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    75 & 76 always go together in my own mind ..... as do 82 & 83. Have you seen the montages of BBC footage of Centre Court, Wimbledon over the years since colour broadcasting came in? I daresay all the folks who remember those years could point to any number of locations where such conditions were immediately evident .... they certainly were at the Dunster Show in 1975 ..... the whole field was little more than a dust bowl and the fledgling WSR confined to DMU operations for weeks on end (which I can't say I minded in the least, owing to the superb panoramic views fore and aft).
     
  4. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    No, I haven't - must look out for it :) However, the colour rendition of TV cameras in the 1970s was very different to those of today - noticeably less saturated then for one.

    I'd forgotten '82 and '83 - I was in the sixth form then. 1982 was when I nearly got struck by lightning whilst out 'spotting' with some friends (I'd not long passed my driving test) and the same day I saw an APT in service. I certainly remember '82 (I think) being followed by a very harsh winter.
     
  5. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Winter 81/82 was the hard one, before Christmas. I remember as it was the year I changed school so the date is fixed in my mind.

    Tom
     
  6. D1796

    D1796 New Member Account Suspended

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    Interesting use of terminology in the email, "Steam Charter operator" Why have you Collected a Class 4o today then, to go with the 37s,47s and the Deltics ?

    Not exactly endearing themselves to those of us that like diesels, To travel with them.
     
  7. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I assume you mean this part?

    ''We have considered using diesel locomotives to haul the train, but as a Steam Charter operator, who sold tickets to you on that basis, we would rather offer you a trip behind a steam locomotive, even if it means operating on an alternative date.'

    If so...I really don't understand what you are moaning about!
     
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  8. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Now you mention it Tom, I think you're right although I do remember the winter of 82/83 being a bit rough as well - I remember electing to drive my Dad's Ford Zodiac instead of my Renault 16 to pick up the future Mrs. TGH for tea due to snowdrifts blocking the roads between my house and hers - and I passed my test in April '82. But I have photos of my schoolfriends and I walking home from school in the snow back in 81/82.
     
  9. D1796

    D1796 New Member Account Suspended

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    Not a moan at all, Just makes you wonder why have all those Classic Diesels then claim to be a kettle only operation,
     
  10. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Maybe because Steam Charters is their core business and diesels are there to supplement traction should the need arise. By kettle I assume you mean steam loco. :rolleyes:
     
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  11. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    .... and by should the need arise, I assume you mean right now!:D
     
  12. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    They don’t claim that at all. Saying they are a “steam charter operator” implies no exclusivity: they can be both a “steam charter operator” and a “diesel charter operator” with no contradiction.

    Tom
     
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  13. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    As mentioned elsewhere, both Deltics are out of service. 16 is due to go to margate, 22's engine with the defective quillshaft is out for a contracted repair, the other p/u in 22, has a water leak from memory, so a swap with one from '16 may be the quick way to get an operation loco.

    Its not as easy, as clicking your fingers, but good to see headway is being made.
     
  14. RLinkinS

    RLinkinS Member

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    Perhaps this is what is needed.. J W Bowker has a fire pump fitted on top of the boiler and a hose reel on the back of the tender R_Linkins042a.jpg
     
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  15. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I've wondered no aspect of new component design or manufacture has been mentioned regarding the deltics. Ditto other preserved diesels. Steam is a whole different ball game of course, but I can't help but notice things of near routine being done now which were considered totally "forget it .... just not possible" a couple of decades ago, plus as I've learned, the word "never" has no more place than "impossible" in the lexicon of heritage restoration. If it can be funded ..... it can be done!
     
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  16. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    It has been suggested in the past that it's because a steam engine is a more primitive device that it is 'do-able'. Certainly compared to a Napier 'Deltic'!

    But yes, as ever... it's money.
     
  17. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Returning to the subject it looks like the high pressure system is starting to break down and most places should have some rain by the weekend. Maybe not enough for the ban to be lifted yet though.
     
  18. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    There are more than enough spare parts to keep the engines going for quite a time yet, what is missing is the experience, tooling, and whereforall to make it happen.

    It should be mentioned Martin Walker expended a huge sum of cash in Piston Rings (£25k), bearing Shells ( would not like to think), and other items, looking at a full power unit rebuild. The big issue is Piston's, which have a finite life, and re-chroming of barrels, both horrifically expensive.

    As mentioned steam is in many respects 19th century engineering, a Deltic engine is a super complex bit of kit, needing expert handling, maintenance, and eventually rebuilding.

    The rebuilding part was tried out by Paxman's under contract, and was not a success, if they struggle, what chance is their, passing on any rebuilding experience is a must, most of the works rebuilders, will be well into their 70's now.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2018
  19. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    We can hope, but although there may be some thunderstorms most of the forecast rain (for England) seems to be light (assuming you believe any forecast) so I guess it may be sometime before we revert back to normal. I suspect we really need a prolonged period of steady rain to get the bans lifted as downpours tend to mainly just get turned into runoff when the ground is so dry.
     
  20. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    Just a few showers forecast for Cumbria at the end of this week, which I doubt will make any kind of difference. No rain as such forecast for the next fortnight.
     

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