New Boiler for Dolgoch

I am glad to see the T.R. has secured support from Steam Railway in it's search for finance to pay for a new boiler for Dolgoch.

However, until the railway manages to sort out its operations, those cheerfully contributing towards this fund are, in effect, subsidising the losses made by its catering side. Such functions ought to be supporting the cost of running the service rather than the reverse.

This does seem harsh, I know, but there is no way a preservation society can itself be preserved! The announced amendments to the management structure suggest more a reversion to a previous comfort zone than a real rationalisation.

 

Actually nice to see a SR appeal thats not going to fund a large main line loco for the GCR. Or is Dolgoch going to be restored at Loughborugh?



(tongue in cheek I hasten to add)

 

I disagree - no SR appeal would have meant Dolgoch out of traffic for a lot longer, a members' appeal and no, it is not "in effect"subsidising the catering losses. Had Jim Rees and I not had a phone conversation, it just wouldn't have even been thought of. Jim is not connected with the TR, neither are the magazine other than through the appeal. I am, but am distant from the appeal other than as a supporter and contributor.

Please folks, do support the TR in whatever way you can.

Thank you
Anthony

 

It has always struck me that it is odd that the TR do not have in house boiler repair capability.

Is the boiler for 'Dolgoch' thoroughly knackered?, or just wants lots of work?.

I have just rebuilt a boiler of similar size for the third of the cost of a ''profesional'' repair. That was barrell, tubeplate and firebox. The outer box was servicable. And that is a proper flanged job, no square corners for me.

With the times being what they are, should this be considered before the ''we'll beg the money and pay someone to fix it when we have enough'' approach?

 

Definately the most worthy cause that Steam Railway has supported. I'll seriously consider making a contribution.

It is a good time to support the TR as they are unfortunately going through a bit of a tough time by the sounds of it. Everyone should read Railway Adventure by Tom Rolt - a charming account of the first few years of the line in preservation. After reading the book (which this appeal has reminded me to read again) I don't think any enthusiast could argue against this being a great cause to support.

The TR remains one of my favourite lines in the country - I hope to be making a visit in the next few weeks.

 

Any way to donate on-line? Seems to be no mention on their web site about the loco needing help at all!

 

Not yet - the new web-site is under development still. I'll ask.
Cheers
Anthony

 

Not yet a means to donate on-line, but at least a form to print and use to donate:

http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/dolgoch-appeal

 

The TR do have the capability to repair boilers in house, but not to build new ones. Dolgochs boiler is getting to the age where it will need more and more work each overhaul so buying a new one is a good move and will save money in the long run. Just patching it up to squeeze out another 10 years will only result in the loco spending more time out of traffic than in, just look at Lord Nelson. Hopefully the project will be well managed and the new boiler a good thing unlike the one on a certain other green NG engine up the coast.

Tim

 

Tim, what sort of boiler repairs are they capable of?

If there is rivetting capability why not procure the flanged plates and put together themselves.

To give people ideas on the cost saving, in the last 5 years, on a similar sized if slightly smaller boiler, I procured a welded boiler barrell (£321), a flanged tubeplate (£400), a flanged and rivetted firebox more or less ready to fit (£3500), £250 of rivetts, £300 of stay material, and 1/4 box of welding rods to sort the grooves in the throatplate and backhead.

So for less than £5K and a shed load of hard work my boiler is sorted. And its hardly a 'codge up'

If I'd have needed a backhead and throatplate I expect another 3K would have been needed.

Realistically £15k would cover the components for a whole new boiler, putting it together is far from difficult, just hard work.

 

Unfortunately you haven't considered cost of staff or the fact that they are diverted from maintaining the running fleet while the boiler is being built. Plus if the Talyllyn don't have a coded welder then that's even more money on training or hiring new staff. You could use volunteers but the quality of the work can be inconsistent plus the loco needs to be ready for May 2011, thats not long considering the loco is still in traffic. Getting an experienced boiler builder to make it means that the Talyllyn will get a reliable boiler that works out the box and will be good for the next 40 or 50 years, plus it's more likely to be finished on time. Finally No2 needs work on the motion as well as a new boiler so staff, vollunteers space and equipment will be needed for that, not to mention the fact that No6 is mid overhaul.
Tim

 

Tim,

It all depends how you go about it, paid staff obviously costs money, volunteers do not.

As for quality of work, well, to put it politely it depends on who the staff or volunteers are. Or indeed which boiler maker you use. A good boiler inspector is there to make sure the quality is as neccassary.

My point is not to criticise, but to suggest that if a gang of willing volunteers were to take the job on, they could make a 'new' or largely new boiler for a quarter of the cost of a proffessional job. With the times as they are not a point to ignore lightly.

 

So, Brass Cleaner, are you volunteering your services ?

Richard

 

I think I read somewhere that it was intended to be in traffic until the end of its ticket, next spring?, but that it was recently failed with a crack in the throat plate. With the season over I doubt if it is worthwhilst repairing so the next time Dolgoch is seen is in steam is for the anniversary in 2011

I have to admit that I think this is a really good cause as being a narrow gauge person it is good to see that it is not always a glamourous main line loco that gets attention. I also think it has been good for the Welsh Narrow Gauge lines as a whole as with the tour of the lines detailed in the last edition odf Steam World they all got a decent bit of coverage. Therefore whilst the funds may be going to the TR hopefully all the welsh narrow gauge lines have reaped a little benefit

 

Don't be silly, cant take a railway engine to the pub.

Nor would put up with all the politics, I am my own lord and master.

Besides this winters programme is to knock all the stay heads over on the Roller boiler. Then a cylinder overhaul on the steam tractor. Pistons, valves, bores, faces and all the associated guff. Possibly some fettling to the small and big ends on both rods.

Washout this weekend then work starts.

 

Yes they could, if a team of volunteers skilled in boiler making are sat around doing nothing for the next year. What do you think the chances of that are in a small town in the middle of nowhere? Have you ever been to a preserved railway where everything is finished and working fine? They could take volunteers away from other things like loco maintenance but then that will suffer.

I can appreciate where your coming from but a working railway like the Talyllyn has to do things differently to one bloke and his steam roller. If the boiler is late they lose money, if it fails in service they lose money, if another loco fails because all the vol's were busy building a boiler they lose money. This is all at a time when they have no money which is why this appeal came about in the first place.

Tim

 

LOL, like I said its not a criticism, more of an alternative idea.

In a recession relying on the begging pot does not strike me as a good way to ensure a loco is back for a certain date.

There is extensive boilermaking knowledge within the TR volunteer base. both in terms of skills and experience.

As for having ever been to a preserved railway, well I will leave you with the thought that, just perhaps I know a little more about the TR than you think I do.

 

Very easy to suggest what others should do. One of the rules of volunteer railways is that if someone wanders in suggesting that this, that or the other should be done, then they are handed a spanner or shovel and told to stop talking and get on with it.

Richard

 

When you railway boys come and help me out, no problem.

Untill then, perhaps you can hope.

 

Unlike me as it is to 'troll', I've been watching this thread with interest, not wishing to comment as I feel I have no worthwhile input to put in that hasn't already been, or being, discussed.*

However, maybe when you come and help us 'railway boys', we will be able to take your attempts at input on board properly...?

Try it sometime - you'll be amazed at just what CAN be done, but sometimes even with volunteer skill that may be there, other priorities mean that sub-contraction must take place. If one of the TR volunteers WITH the skill/experience was to come along and say "hey, I'm willing to put extra time and effort into this, can I do it?" I'm sure it would be considered, but quite often there is already too much work for the existing workforce, and as volunteers they have the right to do as much as they like, and come in only when they want/can. Also remember that most volunteers also have a life outside their railway so can only put a certain amount of time in.

You can only put as much time into your roller as your CoSS shifts permit (so most Saturday nights out the window I presume, or do you still turn up after a Friday night down your local..?), as well as any other commitments you may have (family, etc.); you'll find its the same all over the place.

I don't tell you how to attach a steering chain... ...

Thanks,

Dom

*Actually, come to think of it - I have a question. Any idea who the TR are getting to build the new boiler...?