Tornado

Comparing the photos in 'Boiler arrives at Meiningen' (above) with that of the ex SAR 25NC at Quainton, the 25NC boiler has a lot more flexible stays over the top of the outer firebox wrapper and above the combustion chamber area. Granted the the barrel is riveted to the outer firebox wrapper on this latter loco, but the inner and outer firebox wrapper is of all-welded construction with a 'U' section channel foundation ring. Not aware of such boiler problems with the 25NCs.

 

An interesting read in today's Steam Railway Magazine regarding 60163's boiler.

I am yet to get my copy of the "communication chord" from the trust, however most of the information in that will be replicated in SRM.

So on the one hand it looks as if the rumours were true, but exaggerated greatly if this report is accurate. It is good to hear the full extent of the repairs which are being undertaken, but the real sense of urgency for supporters to band together and support the engine whilst its sitting, not earning money, is sincere.

There is also a piece from Peter Townend on 60157 Great Eastern which had similar problems, albeit with a standard 118 boiler.

 

So, 'Zero hours' - makes sense to get a new Boiler Certificate.

Haste ye back, Tornado

Mark

 

The repaint of Tornado's tender is moving along well, the tender has gotten to the point where the BR early crest has been applied.
http://william.fotopic.net/p68912616.html

 

Blimey, thats impressive progress! When I was there last week, they hadn't even started to paint it.

 

Tornado appears in the current Top Gear Magazine in James May's guide to engineering that chaps should know about.

 

There were no exaggerated rumours, just disputed facts. Minor plate deflection = rippled plate. But let's not be pedantic. The important thing is that it is being repaired. The concern must remain as to why, though, regarding both the stay and the plate problems because I don't think that that has been definitely established.

 

Why has alot gone wrong in such a short time with the boiler? Wasn't this a German built boiler that is supposed to be alot hardier?

 

Sorry Steve, I didn't make my original post particularly clear again! Your original post was spot on the money, my "exaggeration" comment was referring to the earlier posts of fairly unsubstantiated and extreme consequences. But we'll not go there again!

Agreed. I haven't had my copy of the communication chord yet, there may be more information than that I saw in SRM.

 

is there any definite prognosis yet as to what the cause actually is ? because the very last thing that anyone would wish to see is that the boiler is repaired only for the same problem to re occour again later after all , if the damaged plate is cut out and replaced all you are doing is to correct the problem , not what caused it,

Unless you know what caused it in the first place , you might have the same happen again without fully understanding why and how things are going wrong? what if the manufactorers dont fully understand why it happened and cant explain it?

 

Well, that's prototype engineering for you. I'm sure the engineers will be trying very hard to establish and cure the causes, not just fix the symptoms. Every new steam loco has had to go through this process, with various things going wrong with the first examples, being understood, modified and eventually fixed. That process was probably much easier with the full weight of a BR works and design team, CME, etc behind you, but I'm sure it will work for Tornado too.

 

I think it's quite clear that since the first failure last year, the Trust has been trying to do exactly that.

From what I gather the overhaul is no simple repair work. It's trying to sort out the problems both in metal, and not as the case may be, as swiftly and as logically as possible. We don't know all that goes on behind the scenes, but rest assured if it is a simple change such as a change in the maintenance procedure for the engine, before and after every run, or similar, then it'll be addressed.

There's nothing we - whatever qualifications we may or may not have - can do at present with the facts presented. Calmly await events.

And on that bombshell - thank you William for that pic of the Brunswick green tender, brought a smile to my face today to see its sheen.

 

Sorry to bring bad tidings.

Zero hours (years) should mean replacement of all smoke tubes sufficient flues for internal exam by Competent Person (Boiler Inspector). I know its only guidelines but its also best practice.
I'm not suggesting Tornado's boiler should have that done at this stage.

 

Exactly, and for that reason, I for one, was surprised that it wasn't returned to Meiningen when more stays went last year.

 

From where I'm sitting, the Trust has has been doing all the right things. Faults with prototypes (which this is) are only to be expected. The big problem is that there isn't a design office and workshops ready and able to take on the challenge of sorting out the problems. The A1 team may well have the expertise to do so but I doubt that they have the pot of gold to enable this. I'm guessing but I bet that they would like to throw away the present firebox design and start again. I know I would!

 

I would imagine it was better from a financial point of view to keep her going and honour as many of her 2010 bookings as possible and then combine the 4 months boiler work with the planned 2 month winter outage, so only losing an additional 2 months. 4 months out in peak season would have been a major blow.

 

Ah well...

Many thanks for that though - much appreciated

Mark

 

Agreed Sheff, that seems the most logical conclusion to follow. But I will wager that the full extent of the damage wasn't expected when she came in for overhaul at the NRM. Certainly it seems to have taken the trust by surprise - and us covenators, too.

But these things are sent to try us. I am certain messers Elliot and Bunker are watching closely over in Germany right now, and I am certain things will start to get back on track. William's earlier photograph of the brunswick green tender is testament to that.

 

I don't know about zero hours requiring that; I'd be more interested in when the clock runs out, which is more important and this is a subjective decision. Seven/Ten years is only a guidance and one advantage of a welded steel boiler is that it only takes minutes to cut out bits of steel plate and not a great length of time to put new back in so you can do internal exams of sorts by this method and, coupled with U/S inspections, a Competent Person ought to be able to reach a view.
It's probably academic in any case as, if Tornado keeps up the mileage, it will need a general repair before it's 10 years old.

 

Reading this thread nobody as commented on re-boring the cylinders which is mentioned in Steam Railway .30,000 miles seems very low mile's for this work to be needed.