The Foxfield Steam Gala, 17/18th July 2010.

The Heaths boiler was also removed from its frames onto the boiler park on Wednesday in readyness for its overhaul. Dubs' jib has been uncovered on the flat wagon to enable a small area to be prepared for painting; the majority of it being in sound order from Glenalmond's efforts several years ago.

 

View attachment 1284 Slightly off topic, but an interesting concept was noted at the GCR's "Golden Oldies" event this afternoon, Rocket was conveying passengers between Quorn and Loughborough Central and included the period coaches in tow, The coach has telescopic buffers but the back of Rocket has timber dumb buffers of a similer type to The Dubs but smaller. It was also loose coupled. The train was fitted with Air brakes.
On the subject of dumb buffers does this actually mean that although contary to Mr Whistons opinion it is actually perfectly acceptable to use motive power fitted with dumb buffers on a passenger train provided it has train brakes? Could the dubs infact haul passenger stock provided it had vac or air brakes?

 

I'm not aware of any regulation banning dumb buffered locos on passenger trains - I think the pug that KWVR (and possibly others) have used on pax has dumb buffers? Perhaps more that the comfort levels might not be too acceptable on a regular basis! Obviously the main reason for Dubs not being allowed to pull passenger trains is the lack of vac.

 

Street cred at stake - no passenger's for us. I think that the popular music combo NDUBZ had this in mind when forming - NoDUBpassengerZ, I think that's it...

 

As long as the loco sounds better than them!

 

Oh dear, Dubs and Ndubz link... please don't paint a number na na nine on it!

 

Modern music? I'm way out of my depth here!

 

I have to disagree here though, the GCRN last year were adverting Brakevan Birdwatching specials, I know for a fact that they were operating a Ruston 165DE with 2 or 3 unfitted brakevans in push/pull down the former northern GC mainline, there were no automatic brakes only the handbrake in each van with a person dedicated to each van who could apply the brake shoud it become detached!
the trains were also limited to 10mph, and it had been passed by the ORR (someone other than you know who..!) in writing because I saw the letter from the bloke who organised it.

 

Somehow I suspect they may take a slightly dimmer view of this kind of operation over Foxfield's gradients though! Not my place to say it'll never happen, but I can't see it

 

Bellerophon was on test yesterday. Rumours also of a flash repaint into white for Whiston so that the railway can field red, white and blue Austerities.

 

The slide bar for dubsey's rebuilt cylinder was set up today using home made kit. Several cups of tea and a plea to the Bellerophon team to lift heavy things ( they are very good at that ) saw the new rings fitted to the machined piston and the whole assembly including the rear cover in position. For the first time in many years we have two cylinders & pistons. The work done by Statfold is first class, I cant imagine how we could have resolved this serious issue without thier help.

The coupling rods may return from the CVR this week - after all the work to square up the engine it will be interesting to find out if we got our sums right !.

James was sent to clean and oil the lifiting engine ( that hides in the jib ) - many of our younger members did not know it was there and have been trying to work out how it works. Now looking better for attention the gearing will be cleaned over the next few weeks. The chain is away for inspection and most of the engine has been filled and is at the undercoat stage - the challenge remains to complete for gala...

Whiston's boiler is now fixed and parts are being recovered from store - Mr T is a busy man.

Bagnall 2842 continues to recieve attention - the worlds largest sandboxes are now fitted. The original East Kent plantes were in the sunshine today - first time I have seen them.

Lots going on - IRS stall confirmed for Sat of gala today, time to save up again !!.

 

Photo taken in 1962 after conversion to oil firing - our target condition - less the oil firing bit.

 

Teams busy on Dubs and Whiston today (and, probably, 2842 down the yard). Meaford and Florence both ready for annual insurance exams. Bellerophon in steam and getting very wet in the afternoon downpour.

 

71515 the foxfield gala visitor now has a website, all be it under construction there are some useful links and some nice piccies on there (including the Foxfield) go check it out at www.mechnavviesltd.co.uk

Alex
71515's Agent

 

Great to see the web site. Might even buy a tee shirt!

Hope you have stopped polishing her in preparation for the visit to Foxfield....

 

Ideally it'll be maroon, but barely!

 

Just out of interest how many railways will be sending a contingent this year? Me and the rest of the 'Tanfield Massive' were debating whether or not it works out cheaper to hire a minibus, but there must be other railways likely to be appearing in force if previous years are anything to go by... should be good banter in the bar I'm sure.

 

Dubs figthing back after the skilled team fitted the valve end cover upside down - doah. The fact that carl told us that it was wrong and we did not listen has been blamed on Phil Cival, aged 13 and not involved at all - still the blame was taken with grace !.

We are ready to drop the smoke box into the saddle ( Wednesday eve I hope ) and to make a start on this area ASAP. The painting team ( person ) is busy and doing a great job. Chain has passed inspection and the jib recieved more TLC on Sunday. The hook has failed inspection however so we need a "traditional" 6 ton hook - anyone any ideas. Whist I am at it I need to borrow a magnetic drill - not adverse to a team from another railway helping out in this area at the moment.... Will we make it - dont know but we have it all to play for.

Whiston should make it if the owner works a bit harder ( !!! - I know you are reading - work harder and faster !!! ). Bagnall 2842 has its cab on but remains shy in the bottom yard, this engine leading the race by a mile.

 

I recon there'll be quite a few from the Blaenavon Brigade in support of 71515, (although we won't look as shiny).

And we'll remove the face before she arrives :0)

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