66xx no.6695

Radyr became 88B on 1.1.61. when Canton became 88A until it closed to steam on 9.9.62. On 9.9.63. Cardiff East Dock became 88A until closure on 2.8.65.
6695 is shown as being at Radyr from 10-63 until withdrawal on 7.64. as previously stated.

 

Say again? Which loco?

 

Oh come 6695 your letting the side down!!!!

 

No time and money for a repaint? I take my hat off to any group that owns and maintains steam locos, it's a mix of a labour of love plus a bottomless pocket! In recent months I've read that 6695's had a leaking clack joint, cracked/broken copper stays on the copper doorplate, annual steam test, superheater element under repair and still is planned to have valve and piston examinations and there's the possibility of cracked rings. You deserve a period of boring, trouble-free, running! Good luck!

Patrick

 

Thanks Patrick

As you say "labour of love plus a bottomless pocket!" Generally '95 does run well but when you use a steam loco you wear it out! There are one or two niggling problems which recur such as the clack joints but we need to investigate this further along with the SVR's expert help. Cracked stays and annual (14 month) boiler exams are par for the course and, so far, no defects have been found with the superheater elements (I'm not going to tempt providence further so we'll just wait to see what the actual problem was). We have known for some time that the piston valves needed attention and getting them examined and sorted was always part of the arrangement with Severn Valley. She has done some sterling work at Swanage and at West Somerset and we hope that the work over this winter will stand her in good stead for the coming year. She hasn't quite made her usual 100+ days in traffic for 2009 but has come fairly close.

But the reality with a working steam engine is that you are always waiting for that next call to say that something has happened or doesn't sound right etc!

 

Hopefully I will get a chance to fire her once the work is done. I had her the day before she failed, and it was a very hard day. as you say, if you are going to use them, you are going to wear them out. Hopefully I will get to see what she is really capable of.

 

Good practice though Olly, for when the other one currently in the works is out and about.

Should be popular to the extent that there has been for a while a feeling that one of these tankies would "complete the set" on the SVR.

 

Well, I should be able to get enough practice on the rest of our fleet

 

It has been confirmed that no defects have been found with the superheater elements, the piston valves have been removed and currently being examined. Various other jobs may be undertaken over the next few weeks.

 

had another go on her today, was nice to compare her to what she was like before the work was done. I'm impressed! Good tool!

 

Sounded good and a very suitably sized class of loco for the SVR

 

Maybe, but my drive assures me, they are a pain to oil up, even compared to a 57xx, or a 45xx, no room underneath, and big tanks so you can't reach round, steams well though!

 

I keep meaning to post this in here. Here is 6695 on the post Christmas trains leaveing Hampton Loade on December 27th as I called in on my way up from Boxingday with the inlaw's in Gloucester to clawing arround the slops of Snowdon with an NGG16 the follwoing day.

6695 Sounded very happy and well. She could be heard for several minites both climbing up from Sterns and after she passed me. I would not have recomended the cylce path that morning though, it was very icy indeed.

 

When 6695 surposed to back at Swanage? Bit worried not have many of the home fleet around. The M7 failed yesterday, so 'Eddy' had to be steamed up. 80104 returned today back from WSR, but thats still only three engines for the moment...

 

Could be better I suppose but not bad for so early in the season IMHO :

34028 Eddystone facing Wareham for Easter
34070 Manston facing Swanage for Easter
80104 back from WSR (should be still in working order) - as 'reserve'
Then - 53 to repair [hopefully not too much work/time?]
Whenever - 6695 in due course

 

SVR hire likely be extended into May, still awaiting confirmation of precise dates. However I can confirm (contrary to some rumours) that 6695 will return to Swanage for the Summer season.

Olly5764 - pleased you enjoyed your firing turn on her and that the work done at Bridgnorth has been worthwhile.

Also thanks to all at SVR who made Ann and I welcome over the Gala weekend.

 

It depends on who's around. What your driver needs is a fireman to do it for him or as WSR have found on several occasions the support crew will oil the motion without a pit, but then I have been reliably informed that this is down to their ability to fit between motion and boiler. Now you know how the underneath of of the boiler gets cleaned ..... its all on my boiler suit!

 

I can't argue with that! 6619 is the worst NYMR loco when it comes to oiling up, beating 30926 by a good head. After that, driving and firing are relatively painless, if you don't bang your head on he doorway!