44932 December 11th Bath Christmas Market

Radius rod?? Wow. Hope they manage to sort her soon.

 

I agree steam is rare in this part of the world but even rarer in your part of Sussex. I've been toying with the idea of going to see Tornado on Monday as I have Mondays off from college. Be nice to see Tornado's last trip in apple green for a year or so. If I do go I might be able to take photographs from the front of the loco after 2 unsuccesful attempts. The times for this trip only go up to Clapham Junction though.

Is the next trip in Sussex the Valentines Day Special to Brighton with 34067 (thats what SD have listed).

 

More info here about the valve gear here:

http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/basic6.htm

and here, item 8 in the first diagram:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walschaerts_valve_gear

 

Blimey you waited a long time I was at Haywards Heath from about 6:40 to about 7:40 or so before it was announced it was cancelled. I had to walk home from the station which takes a while otherwise I could have posted news a bit quicker.

I think I overhead someone talking saying that they're kid was really looking forward to travelling on this. Feel sorry them especially as it looked like quite a few people were travelling as well. I did recognise a member of RTC staff who was on The Mayflower that I was on back in September.

Hopefully I can try to work out some arrangements to see Tornado on Monday. Its difficult because I don't have a driving licence or anyone to drive me about. My best bet may be Hastings as I can get a train from Haywards Heath to there but may be a bit costly. Just have to wait and see when Uksteam put the times up

 

Timings for Tornado down to Hastings just released on the Steam Dreams website - http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/executables/GT410WebContent.exe?ActionCode=Timings

 

I did not want to go and then miss her! 34067 a couple of years ago ran an hour or so late and I went home and missed her so I was thinking of that! Thanks again for the update!

 

No problem. Bad luck that time with 34067.

 

5043 bent his radius rod on a run from Tyseley to Bristol a couple of years age. Tyseley sent a spare down to Didcot and it was fitted st the GWS depot in time to rejoin the train on it's return to Tyseley. Unfortunately the signallers were unable to find enough time for the loco exchange at Didcot and we had to return diesel hauled with 5043 following behind. So hopefully, if a spare is available, it shouldn't not a long job.

 

Locos always used to be feminine irrespective of their name. Is this another modern fashion?

 

The Earl is still a she to me, as is Sir Nigel Gresley even

 

I've just never seen steam engines as very girly, all that piston and rod action and whatnot. Not trying to be politically correct.