35028 on Oxford VSOE

This tour needs a thread, as it seems that 35028 has failed between Reading and Wokingham presumably causing severe disruption. Hopefully the problem isnt too severe.

Chris

 

A member of an email group I am in reports the loco "failed" due to "no water", with the fire brigade called to fill the tender.

Not a good way to cause a lot of disruption to service trains. But if the tender is being re-filled it indicates to me the fire has not been dropped and the loco will be able to get going again soon?

But I think it is less than 50 miles from Oxford to Wokingham? A MN has a range of 80-90 miles with a small reserve left. Even with the normal VSOE load, and has very experienced loco and support crews. A real mystery. Unless it was the water tanker scheduled to re-fill the tender that failed in some way. But that was due to be in action at Ascot.

 

The train is now reported to be on the move again, running about 90 mins late, with the Class 67 diesel doing the work and Clan Line "not steaming".

 

When she was on The Somerset & Dorset rail tour the other week her longest run between water stops was Waterloo to Salisbury 83 miles.

 

I hope she will be ok for next’s weeks run to York?

 

If this is true, it must be one of the worst 'failures ' known. NOT GOOD

 

I was waiting to see her at Bracknell at 7.00, the service train immediately before came through OK, then nothing for the next hour - except for a fire engine rushing up the A329 towards Wokingham with its sirens going. The live trains site posted at about 7.30 that there was a broken down train near Wokingham causing total disruption for the line, I waited until 8.00 and then went home.

I hope this is going to turn out OK, Clan Line is a fantastic engine and was looking and sounding great in the morning.

 

Someone on the train texted me earlier to say that the fire had been thrown out due to no water showing on boiler gauges and no pressure.
Of course this could be complete nonsense - and is only idle internet railway enthusiast speculation. But never let the facts get in the way of a good, stirring, gossip.

 

A video has been posted of her earlier today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VQyPTdcxCE

 

All 3 safety valves lifting?!

 

That's immediately before she failed.

Here's a video of her looking great in happier times - ie this morning!

[video=youtube;NyiBandEQGw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyiBandEQGw[/video]

I feel really sad now

 

Deleted

 

Clan Line failed near to Wokingham. Lack of water. Fire brigade were called initially for water then to put out fire under loco where it had been dropped to protect boiler. Me thinks the days of water & coal at Oxford will return.

 

I have been told that 35028 dropped a lead plug, (presumably the fusible plug), at/near Earley. Fire was dropped.

Also told a firebox inspection tomorrow, (or when it has all cooled down).

Very worrying incident for such a superb steam locomotive.

I hope the MNLPS put out a statement of fact as soon as they can. Just what happened at the moment. And then an idea of what damage, (none I hope), has occurred when they are able to do that.

 

That's one I was really looking forward to, fingers crossed. ray:

 

Many of us are too! Just hope that dropping the fire saved any damage.

From an earlier comment above I hadn't realised the loco wasn't watered at Oxford: relying on the stops out and back at Ascot? Not a lot of miles, but an awful lot of time.

 

Oh dear, just got back from going on holday the day after my wonderful trip down to Weymouth to find my trip up to York is looking very doubtful, fingers crossed it was just a precaution to drop the fire and nothing serious caused the lack of water. Is there any other precedent for this sort of thing happening and the loco not being damaged?

 

Worrying news indeed. I saw her rasp through Tilehurst in the morning looking fantastic as usual.

 

Latest information I am getting is that BOTH injectors failed last night. Just have to wait for "official" confirmation. That does make everything we heard last night more understandable, no matter how unpalatable that is. Just got to hope that the fire was dropped in time to avoid serious damage.

I have suggested to the MNLPS, (I am a member), that a statement is issued as soon as possible. But I guess those at the sharp end of the Society have lot to think of and do at present.

 

Out of interest what can cause injector failure? My model traction engine doesn't like hot feed water and wont pick up other than that I cant think of anything.