Tangmere replaced twice in March

Been looking on UK Steam and two of Tangmere's four runs in March are now in the charge of Oliver Cromwell and Bittern. The first is The Bath & Bristol on the 6th and then The Dartmouth Express on the 20th. She is still the booked motive power for the Kentish Belle on the 31st and Cath Ex to Bristol on the 25th though. So I would suppose that the winter maintenance at Carnforth is more comprehensive than they initially anticipated.

 

She deserves a nice break from the hustle and bustle... I only have two worries, however: 1. that she won't be ready for the 'Royal Duchy' in April; and 2. that they've replaced the BR crest transfer on the tender, as the lion appears to have bleached somewhat!

 

Yes, i hope they do give the tender some cosmetic restoration.

 

I gather, from conversations at Didcot last weekend, that heavier-than-expected firebox repairs are under way at the moment, and Tangmere is unlikely to be ready for The Royal Duchy and GB3. Therefore, I guess 70013, 60019 and maybe 30777 will deputise for her for a little while yet.

 

A little bit here.
http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/19969-Carnforth-Overhauls/page8
post #78.

 

It would be interesting to see what'll be used on the 'Royal Duchy' if its not ready, especially as its a positioning move for GBIII. At least we should have 30777.

 

See the GB3 thread for (hopefully) informed speculation...

 

70013 would make a lot of sense if the suggested swaps on that thread are more 'informed' than 'speculation'... If it is the former, then I will be more than happy to have two 2-cylinder locomotives barking away up front over both Dainton and Rattery Banks!

 

UK Steam now shows 70013 hauling the Kentish Belle on 31st March, but no news on what will haul the Cathedrals Express to Bath & Bristol on 25th. Any ideas?

 

It has now changed to TBA, so I would guess either 60019 or 70013 will take charge

 

On the St Davids day trip Marcus Robertson told us that 60019 is doing the Bath & Bristol trip on the 25th. The impression we had from what we were told is that 34067 won't be back until late June/early July. I expect that WC have all hands on 46115 to get her back for the charity trip at the end of this month.

 

I doubt 34067 being out for a while is of much concern, there are a few alternatives availible and 70013 and 30777 (in theory anyway) will fit round Kent too.

 

There are a few places that 777 can't go, because of the front overhang and/or cylinder width, and she's not as strong as Ollie and Tangmere. Probably no more than a 5P, really. I'm not sure what her axle-weight is, but she generates more hammer-blow than Tangmere.

Similarly, a Black 5 won't always be a suitable replacement, either because of top speed (60mph) or pulling power.

Larger alternatives (Bittern, Duke Of Gloucester, Nunney Castle) all have stricter height, width or weight restrictions.

Finally, Tangmere is often the loco that covers for others' unavailability, because she can fit around most of the network and her support crew are better able to rally round at short notice than most.

Therefore, there will be some tours which may have to be rescheduled or rerouted if Ollie can't cover them. Remember that Ollie has a very busy programme of her own. I think we are about to see just what a "Really Useful Engine" Tangmere is.

There is room in the loco roster for another Standard 7MT or SR Light Pacific at the moment. Britannia and Braunton should find steady employment, once they have proved themselves.

 

I was under the impression that guaging for 30777 was something that was being looked at at certain points in Kent ?.

 

N15s were considered 5P by BR. At one point, the N15 had the heaviest hammerblow of any British steam locomotive. I wouldn't be too surprised if this is still the case.

 

Steam Dreams website now shows 6201 for this trip.

 

So does UKsteam.

 

Off topic I know but just for the record - 5P yes, but I've seen her both ways on the S&C with 12 on and a dead box hanging on the end - the Dales Discoverer on 24/09/2006. And what is the worry of hammer blow for the occassional special? Hope the remeasurement helps her. Chris

 

As I understand it (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong), it increases the effective axle-weight (civil engineers' great worry) so some bridges may be off-limits to an Arthur that would be OK for a heavier loco with less hammer-blow (e.g. Nellie). As you suggest, the civils may allow 777 on a marginal bridge for a one-off trip, but would still impose a severe speed restriction. In the context of deputising for Tangmere on an already-approved trip, that might rule 777 out.

 

Ooh goody! Lizzie through Gomshall - that'll make a good noise. A rare visitor to both SR and GW metals.