West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Isn't the issue with flangeless centre drivers more to do with the side of the centre wheel running along the side of a raised check rail?
This would cause the leading or trailing driven axle to be forced over the outside running rail.
Wouldn't it?

 

That's essentially what I was meaning. Better explained by you. This nullifies the advantage of a flangeless centre wheel.

 

Dates in my diary; splendid locos. What colour route availability is/ was a 9F?

 

Blue.
Ray.

 

Blue

 

Thanks, Robin, and Ray.

 

6023 would be an epically awesome guest

 

Sadly too heavy for the line at present. But thinking of Didcot's other locos, 2999 Lady of Legend would be an impressive visitor.

 

2999 is still a 'Red'....

 

Oh I thought something the size of a 9F would be heavier.

 

I doubt the railway could afford the coal bill at the moment. It isn't exactly economical.

 

But two extra driving axles to spread the weight ...

A 9F has an axle load of 15.5 tons on the five driving axles; on a King it is 22.5 tons on three axles. (Though there is more to route availability than just axle load).

Tom

 

It runs in my mind that I have read somewhere that 22½tons was theoretical but the reality was nearer 25 tons on the heaviest loaded axle. I wonder what 6023 actually comes in at on the various axles.

 

As to red route availability, Jamessquared has explained the lower speed limit, but nevertheless, with JJP and his very small Board having overall control, one can imagine Thornbury Castle going through Williton works, and other projects getting sidelined. The 9466 can be available to the WSR plus in due course Thornbury Castle. 'Can be available' is at the behest of the WSR PLC Chairman!

Is JJP (or one of his companies) buying up shares in WSR PLC? Others with better access to Companies House may be able to throw some light on all this. We know the WSRA does not have a majority shareholding. All in the Coombes Report, and completely ignored now, so it seems.

Looks to me like the WSR PLC is about to follow the model of the Paignton-Kingswear Line, and due to the WSRA not adopting the Coombes Report it will be sidelined. Leases over Williton and at Bishops Lydeard... they are all dealt with explicitly in the Coombes Report.

Cheers,

Julian

 

I thought the re-draughting had made it a much more economical loco? Or was it really bad to start with?!

Keith

 

I did hear that when it was running in at the Mid Norfolk, there wasn't a lot of water left after a 26 mile round trip. It's a bit better now but nowhere near where it should be.

 

Bother! That's out then.

 

I can't answer that. all i know is that, compared with other locos used on the NYMR , it gobbled coal to do essentially the same job.

 

Why? As they say, it's only a coat of paint.

 

Brief advert for the WSR in today's Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/...t-bus-train-west-country-cider-weston-taunton