What's the news on 35027?

Someone ought to write a book about the 4472 and 6100 sagas, but it probably won't happen because so much would be based on hearsay, and then it's a fine line between criticism and libel.

BTW, daming, damming, damning; who's right? (Moi, je crois)

 

I think my version is wrong, it's 'damning', I think. Anyway, I expect that in years to come, the truth about 4472 and 6100 will slowly trickle out

 

To throw my 2p in, the fact that Scotsman is in need of a MAJOR MAJOR overhaul must say something (of course part of the problem was that Scotsman was thrashed until the NRM bought her) plus the farce with Royal Scot as well.
I'm not suggesting that Southall overhauls are rubbish or anything along those lines, BUT I'm merely pointing out what appears to have happened, of course that could be based on chinese whispers.

 

If you trawl through the entire 6100 thread, many people are more than suggesting that Southall's work is sub-standard

 

That's a bit ironic when you consider all the hype about how mainline locos are supposed to be overhauled to a high standard!

 

Do think we should not trow out doubts about Southall without proper venication of sorts?

 

The example used by many is 4472 and the state she was in during 2003/4, counter-argument for this was that 4472 would be sent out to run a tour when she wasn't fit to do so (because of the fact that she's Scotsman), making any problems worse. But also 34067 is based there and she's been proven as a reliable performer. 70013 is based there when she's working in the South Eastern region come to think of it, and we all know how good Cromwell is.

I'm still very much in two minds about Southall

 

Don't forget that Southall has two elements - the WCRC bit and the former FSS bit. Now it wouldn't surprise me to see volunteers working in both bits, so it is all down to the direction they are given.

Regards,

Dan

 

HHHHHHMMMMMMMM - that's a brief but meaningful question Martin............

 

Thanks Martin, really informative, could you tell us more about Scotsman GTi?

(I feel like a 6 year old kid sitting on his granddad's knee wanting to hear more war stories (tongue very firmly in cheek btw ))

 

Effectively an A4 without the streamlining if I remember rightly. The Boiler was an ex-A4 one with the safety valves set to 250psi (the A3's used 220psi) and the cylinders bores were enlarged.

Can someone confirm please!

Regards,

Dan

 

wow, no wonder she broke

 

wow, no wonder she broke

Well, before people start using their 20/20 hindsight to get too critical, I wonder if there was any engineering basis for believing that this uprating would be unwise? Were the A4s mechanically uprated in any way compared to the A3s, to handle the extra power?

 

Well I believe there were differences in the steam circuit, I can't be more specific than that because I don't know. Didn't the A4s have slightly different inside cylinder valve gear?

 

Any idea what the trading name is of the company/organisation which has been undertaking the overhauls at Southall ? I have seen reference to the London Main Line Steam Group, but I am not sure if this is the trading organisation or just a supporting group.

http://www.pvsonline.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2382

 

Yes you are quite right. There is an excellent DVD (can't remember what it's called at the moment though) where details are given by Roland about how the A3 was upgraded.

 

Thanks for that Martin.

34067 is looked after by JB and a several ex-MHR people from what I could see last week on the Faversham trip..

With regards 35027 and 35022 I heard much the same last week. I heard that they won't be returning to Southall when finished but will be based on a Preserved line along with 6100 and a couple of other big loco's, one of them returning to steam next year. How true it is time will only tell.

 

I'll be interested to see where Royal Scot and Port Line are based then. Guessing maybe 35027 may operate out of the Swanage or Mid Hants. Bit of a whimsy here but if the Bluebell complete the extension to East Grinstead before 35027 enters traffic, she can operate from there and return home after a decade away but I shouldn't think the Bluebell will want to look after a mainline loco that is really too big for their line.