Non - Stop BRISTOLIAN 17/4/2010!

Probably because by the beginning of April, a couple of weeks before the train is due to run, the cat would be out of the bag anyway.

 

Think you need to have a look under the tenders of 4965 and 4953 next time you are at Tyseley. Where does it say you can't leave the scoop on?

 

Talking of bonkers - did anyone else buy the cheapo model of 4472 out of the Steam Beano years back - 99p I think it was. Came with a booklet in pigeon English which included the little known fact that the corridor tender was provided so that the fireman could go back into the train for more coal on long non-stop trips! :roll:

 

A number have modified tanks with larger capacities utilising the scoop space, seems a better use of the space for Preservation requirements IMO.

 

They could always use Kinlet Halls tender - it's spare at the mo!

IG

 

One thing its a better effort at an April fool than this years steam railway naff photo shop user of the year award....

 

Oh I don't know. My betting is that the cat will eventually claw it's way to freedom on 16 April.
15 whole day's after All Fools Day.

 

Bit of a red herring that one David. It has been trotted out many times but if you look at a Great Western 4000 gals tender the scoop tube is an average of about 14 ins diameter and 5 feet long. If you do the calculation for area in square feet times length it comes to 5.34 cubic feet, which at 6.25 gallons per cubic foot gives 33.4 gallons, a volume which will not take the average main line engine 1 mile. Not exactly the most useful addition you could make, but every little helps. Certainly not the great range extender that many believe though.

 

To be more specific, it was 76079 i was told had a larger/modified tank utilising space between the frames, though i concede the person i heard it from could be talking rubbish given the amount gained is more negligable than i had assumed.

 

The ATC kit is fitted to 9466 but the plunger is secured in the raised position. This brings the ATC within gauge for the main line.

Regards to all,

Bruce Murray

 

I think the title 'Scoop of the year' tells you something of the veracity of the idea. Full marks for RM for taking advantage of the rumour mill, but I still think that such pranks are below this once reputable magazine.

 

They have a long history of April fools - admitedly in the days when the magazine came out nearer the month end, then they were perhaps a little easier to spot.

I have a scan on my fotopic site of a spoof article they ran in the 80's of converting the mule to O/H wires.

 

.... and guess what, Network Rail are now proposing to convert the Mule to 25KV OLE ! See the latest electrification strategy paper.

David

 

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the mule?

 

Nickname for the LSWR route to Exeter after Salisbury.

 

One of the four options drawn up by NSE at the time for the replacement of loco hauled trains on the Waterloo-Exeter line was 750v dc third rail Worting Junction-Salisbury and 25kv ac overhead west there of using class 319s with 2+2 seating.

John.

 

yes but this was rather different:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p27663347.html

 

Their report some years ago that the Weymouth tramway was to be electrified (750 volt DC - third rail) was a bit of a shocker

 

Anyone remember the RAIL April fool from the 80's that all loco numbers were to be replaced by barcodes ?

STEVE