34046 Braunton

Latest News section of MHR website today confirms that Braunton will not be at the gala after the tender failed an exam for the mainline. See link below.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/mhn.htm

 

Axles of the Tender - So i wonder what is wrong with the Axles on the tender?

 

Not sure what is up with the axles but remember that the tender is Port Lines and was only intended as a stop gap until Braunton's new one is finnished.

 

Failed UAT.

 

UAT = Ultrasonic Axle Testing. If my UAT operator fails an axle, that's it. It has to be changed before I can let it back out on the national network.

 

So can 34046 not borrow another tender?? I know there were plans for 35005's tender to be shipped off to join Braunton, but surely that 34046 is not mainline certified yet, then a low-loader could also be an option - Or shall I say could have been if given plenty of notice??

 

I understand the policy is Braunton will not be moved around by road.

Steve
(WSW)

 

Any reason? Risk of her being damaged in transit?

 

Some don't mind Locos going by road. Others say never. I think its more personal choice than anything else.
Preserved Locos on mainline transit moves are not for the faint hearted. At least you can insure the loco for all damage that may occur, for the duration of a road movement!

 

Every time an engine (a mainline certified engine) goes on or off a low loader it is required to undergo a UAT exam as during the loading/unloading process the running gear is subject to stresses that they simply werent designed to take.

Now thats not to say that they wont take it but depending on the wheel base of your engine, how steep the ramp is etc sometimes the majority of the weight of the engine can be sat on one or 2 of the axles.

consequently springs can get broken (quite often loco owners wedge blocks of wood inbetween axle boxes and horns to elliminate travel and compression of the springs).

The whole process automatically invalidates your FTR certificate as well.

So quite often (for a mainline engine at least) the whole process can be very costly as well as putting your engine at risk.

Couple this with the haulage costs and finding a police escort for your engine it sometimes is cheaper to get it towed!!!!!

 

Not sure of a reason but I absolutely accept it's the owner's perogative.

Steve
(WSW)

 

(my emphasis)
There's the rub! Had the flaws in the axle been found 6 weeks ago, something might have been arranged. However, less than a week before the move, the chances of finding a suitable tender, coming to an agreement with the owner, moving it to the WSR, etc. in time to get everything certified, are slim, to say the least!

 

6100 is a recent example of damage in transit by road.

 

Latest news on Braunton may be found here:
www.braunton-management.co.uk

 

Thanks for that.

The News section of that link gives the information that she's going to have air braking and is due for main line trials later this year.

That is good news indeed.

 

Yes. Can't wait to see another mainline Bullied

 

It will be good to have a Merchant Navy, BoB and now a West Country Pacific running on the mainline. I wonder where 34046 is going to be based? Southall or at the WSR?

 

I'll clear out my garden shed to make room if there's any problem with 34046 being based anywhere other than deep into ex SR territory. LOL!