35028, "Clan Line"

I have been informed that there is to be a test run this evening 35028 + Coach + Diesel on rear

19.50 off Battersea Loop, Surrey Hills via Richmond. Back at Stew Lane about 23.00


Mike M. ( 70c)

 

Just passed through the Staines area:Feltham 20.45pm going towards Surrey Hills.

 

Arrived at Shalford for water 21 45, a lovely beat as she passed through Chilworth

about 22.10.

Mike M. (70c )

 

A normally reliable source tells me that Clan Line has failed her FTR today (Fri 18th June), so won't be able to haul tomorrow's VSOE Surrey Hills train. I don't know the cause. (Given the recent problems, my guess would be injector issues).

The good news is that Tornado will deputise. This will make a very interesting comparison.

 

I'm away walking in the Derbyshire Peaks and Dales at present, but am using the PC in my walking companions flat. So just seen the sad news.

Hope to get an update from the MNLPS when I get home, so we know what the problem is.

 

Many thanks Alan. Lets hope the approach being adopted gets to the bottom of the problem soon.

 

Must have been some gremlims that legged it before the DBS inspectors arrived the following morning.....

 

I wonder if the Injectors were stripped right down? After the last problem with Clanline 'Not picking up' ?

 

I hope to see Clan Line back soon as the main line is currently bereft of Bulleids. However I have to say that Tornado was a worthy stand in. It absolutely stormed past Shere Heath with the VSOE on Saturday with a full load and no DL on the back.

Don

 

I heard from a reliable source that on the day Clan Line failed it arrived at Oxford, filled up with water and sat in the yard for hours. That day was a very warm day and the sun may well have warmed the water enough to make it difficult for the injectors to pick up. Also, with the air-pump in the tender (itself steam operated) I wonder if that could have warmed the water too...? I don't liked to speculate, but this would seem a valid explanation.

35028 is a fine engine and I wish the MNLPS the very best in getting thier loco back mainline as soon as possible.

 

You obviously didn't read the post from Wayne the main line steam driver that poured cold water - pun intended - on the "sun warming the water" theory. As Wayne said, have you any idea just how long it would for several thousand gallons of water to be heated by the action of direct sunlight alone? It simply won't happen to the extent the water is too warm for the injectors.
Oh, you say you don't like to speculate - then don't. Simples.

 

i heard from a friend from NR that it might be injector related once more , or something on the water delivery side, i do hope that it gets sorted soon, can anyone connected with the loco conferm that this is the case?

i would assume that both injectors would have been stripped as a matter of course and it must be heart breaking for the suport crew to have go through everything as they have, only to have it fail again, but at least this time , its not sat down out on the big railway

 

I know speculation is the stock in trade of discussion forums, but as the MNLPS have so far proved to be very open and forthcoming with information as to how things are progressing and what might be wrong, its probably fair to assume that as we don't know what is wrong, they probably aren't sure yet either! It may even turn out to be something as disappointing as a bit of scale/crud/rust that washes out of the system at some point without anyone ever spotting it and proving what caused the problem. I should imagine the poor guys working on her have probably stripped the suspect bits down so many times they could do a turn on Generation Game doing it blindfold! Cut them some slack and when they know, we will know.

 

We must all remember that we are very fortunate that the MNLPS have decided to be open about the problems with 35028, so with all due respect, let us not abuse their show of good faith during a difficult time by reducing this thread to an argument. As 6024KEI has stated above, when they know, we'll know.

 

As it is nearly a month since the unfortunate incident I would be very much suprised if they didnt know(one way or the other) what the cause was.

 

35028 has built up a deserved reputation for reliability.
It has been used many times, over many years, even in very hot weather with no trouble from the Sun's rays or heat dissipation from the air pump. [Incidentally, travelling at speed between the Oxford water stop and 35028's problem in London's suburbs should have had, if anything, a little cooling effect on the water!]
As has been said many, many times before on this thread - 5,000 gallons of water takes ages [days?] to heat significantly! Please place this 'excuse' at the bottom of any list until we know differently.
The experienced crew experienced no troubles, apparently, until closer to London. This implies an injector or water supply problem - but MNLPS, as has been written before, will ensure a thorough investigation of the cause(s) before allowing their pride and joy to resume main line activities.
For their sake - I hope the problem is discovered soon and 'fixed' easily.

 

I'm sure if they WERE SURE what the problem was it would have been rectified by their engineers and the loco. would be out and about again earning money.
The MNLPS have been very open and decent about this problem, they should be left alone to sort the matter out. And they will.

 

I agree that the MNLPS should be left in peace to sort this out. They have been more than open throughout this affair and when they know the cause and cure I am sure they will inform us.

In the meantime, bearing in mind that the MNLPS were one of the pioneering main line loco owners and have always maintained a reputation for a superb turnout of the locomotive, both mechanical and physical, asking questions on here such as 'Have they fully stripped the injectors?' could be regarded as somewhat superfluous.