LMS 2P 4-4-0

Interesting diagram. It appears to show that the MSLR loading gauge in 1895 limited vehicle width to a maximum of 8ft 8in below platform level.

By 1911, Robinson was able to introduce his 2-8-0 (LNER Class O4), which was 8ft 10½in wide over its low-set 21-in cylinders. An indication that loading gauges can change over time. Presumably, some MSLR station platforms had been altered to provide greater clearance.

 

Steve, What about the phrases contained in the BR rule book 'One engine in steam working' or 'Light Engine'?

Many of the ex BR steam men I fired for in the 1970's referred to locomotives as 'engines', particularly if they were talking dismissingly about those from another region, e.g. 'Western Engines' or 'Midland Engines'. Perhaps the term was popular in certain areas of the country, but not in others.

Andy

 

On Marine Steam Engines, each cylinder & associated gubbins is an 'engine'

 

Only if it's a monobloc casting.

 

Unbelievably this was nearly two years ago. I took a group of Network Rail apprentices to the NVR and our loco for the day was 34081. Stunning loco, beautifully turned out. The obvious thing was the families boarding who were genuinely interested in what the loco was, why was it that colour, and so on.

We underestimate the general public’s inquisitiveness and the power of our own assets at our peril.

 

There's a wonderful track on a Peter Handford record of a Caley o-6-0 struggling into Beattock station on a goods. The thing was barely capable of movement and expired in the platform. In the ensuing conversation the driver is asked "do you want a shove up?" In no uncertain terms he replies, "no, I want another engine."

 

Indeed. Other regular questions are "why is it called 92 Squadron?" and "what's the RAF got to do with steam engines?" What's more, they're genuinely interested in the answers.

 

Absolutely. Much the same response we had when we were at the Bluebell last summer with ‘28.

 

So why, in the BR rule book is there a head code for a light engine? Looking at the 1950 rule book, the index entry under engines has 24 subheadings while locomotive ha just one. The terms are interchangeable. I rest my case.

 

We all use the term interchangeably, including me, but technically, locomotive and engine are two different things. An electric locomotive doesn't have an engine and I don't think I have ever heard anybody use the term 'electric engine' yet we regularly say steam engine or diesel engine when referring to locomotives.

 

Why does the Group standard rulebook refer to 'whistle' and why do we have whistle boards when, apart from 08's and heritage locos, no loco has had one since 1968? It could easily be changed to 'warning' in many cases but, interestingly, whilst whistle in itself is an action, neither 'warning' nor horn' are and it would have to be 'sound warning' or 'sound horn'.

 

Yes. on a two cylinder loco either 'engine' will run on its own quite independent of the other but that is not the case with a conjugated valve gear.

 

Traditions die hard. The sign warning road users of a rail crossing is still a silhouette of a steam loco over 50 years after the end of steam. Unfortunately we have exchanged railway station for the awful train station and a signalman will never be a signaller to me. London Underground trains still have whistles

 

As you have probably found out it’s the same with the passengers at Victoria after a Belmond trip.

 

What's this signalman stuff, John? Sounds dreadfully 20th Century to me. What's wrong with the term bobbie?

Peter

 

Surely a 'light engine' is one which runs on light? BR were obviously anticipating the future invention of photovoltaic cells by a few decades. I expect there were special rules about not stopping them in tunnels.

 

Agree, Bobbie is even better although 19th century

 

It's possible, I suppose, that the term'whistle' is laid down in various Railway Acts.
Re: 'Light Engine'. Some years ago, while waiting for the engine of the Holybourne tanks to run round at Alton I was talking to on of the S&T crew working on the starting signal gantry. He told me that they were installing 'light engines' in place of filament bulbs. At which moment my engine passed us and he added that to him that was a 'light engine'!
Pat