LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2019

The renaming of the loco was a nice gesture IMHO but as previously mentioned the 100th Anniversary of the RAF has now passed.
Perhaps now is the time to return the loco to it's original identity. <BJ>

 

The spacing itself appears slightly tight, however I think the aspect throwing us off may be the thickness of the numerals themselves. I can't lie and say I was around in BR times, so my knowledge is purely based on the current Black 5 fleets, most of them appear to run with chunkier looking numerals on the cabsides while No. 45231 appears to be sporting a much skinnier variety.

 

You are spot on there...same with 46100. Must be an LSL thing?

Back in the day IIRC, loco's overhauled at Cowlairs had even bigger numerals on the cabside, but my memory might be playing tricks on me!

 

Quite correct John. No. 44871 even ran with the bigger numerals for the first 9 years or so of her current mainline stint under Riley ownership. A nice nod to Scotland, but then I am biased

 

As I understand it there were two usual cabside numeral sizes 8" and 10*.

One obvious error or difference from BR works practice is that 35018 has the smaller size instead of the 10" ones as applied to 35028 etc.
On 46100 the cabside 6 looks to be the wrong shape and the zeros too circular.
When 45231 emerged after the last overhaul it was commented on then that the cabsides were the wrong spacing and profile.
I can only assume the latter two are down to hand painting rather than use of transfers.

The 10" numbers were used by Scottish works, I always thought it was St Rollox as well, as well as on the Bulleid pacifics and some others as well as some ER locos. The larger cabsides were always a reminder you were in Scotland.

There are variations as well of course - consider the numbers on the Beattie well tanks whci are certainly smaller than 8".

I don't profess to be an expert and I'm sure there is chapter and verse published somewhere but I have failed to uncover it yet.

For now two shots of 45231 - one from 9 years ago and the second one in an exhaulst free moment today for comparison.

 

I can assure you it isn't John. I remember the larger cabside numbers on the Scottish overhauled LM locos.

 

Todays Loco services test run featuring Black 5 No.45231 making a lovely sight and sound passing Sytch Lane, Mill Meece (North Of Stafford) on its last leg to Crewe.

 

UKSteam has Tyseley to S-U-A on 19/20/21 Feb.
RTT has
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...19/02/19/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
for the 19th, and
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...19/02/21/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
for the 21st but nothing yet on the 20th.
Alan.

 

RTT says Braunton's morning test run has been cancelled.

 

The Riley ones are hidden out of view in a much more acceptable place. I'm sorry but it looks as though 45231's tank have just been slapped on with no consideration what so ever.

 

Braunton and Support Coach just passed Crewe HC railcam.

 

Loco and support coach have just arrived back at Crewe 8 mins early. <BJ>

 

And was it Braunton or pseudo-34052?

 

It was 34052. <BJ>

 

Does anyone know what these are?

 

In post #291, @gwr4090 suggested they might be 7029's test runs. Since he's the chap behind uksteam.info, that may be more than just an educated guess.

 

Assume the runs from Tyseley to Stratford on Monday 11th and Stratford and Worcester on Tuesday 12th are all likely Tyseley class 47 as 0z47 headcode on first run?

 

That is a good summary. For special workings, sometimes the last two digits match the loco rostered for the train. Otherwise it can give an idea of the train planner as some have favourite numbers.

Back in the day, *Z50 to *Z59 for all classes were allocated to workings arranged by control offices. (Nowadays VSTP schedules.) On a regional basis blocks of ten numbers were allocated to specified areas.

Cheers, Neil