THE KENTISH BELLE ARMISTICE DAY (Tangmere now via Bromley)

Not specifically. I'll have a look to see if I have one though.

 

Some important news in the latest Railway Herald (pdf)

- NR Prohobition Notice, banning all steam loco's (except Tornado and Black 5's) from Swanley-Rochester Bridge Junction due to gauging, with an accompanying article about the issue.
- New details on Tangmere's doomed railtour, including the reason for the lack of a diesel (Shakespeare Tunnel) and the stop at Deal, which was offered by NR and which WCRC agreed to as 'operationally OK'

Well worth a read...

Chris

 

I read the original post about Tornado being allowed to go where other steam locos were not, with incredulity. The A1 is comparatively huge and quite heavy.
On reading the HR article, I surmise that when Network Rail's structure & gauging department looked at classes of steam loco permitted to run under that overbridge; the only classes listed were Black 5s and Tornado. I suggest that only those classes owners have provided NR with the relevant dimentions of their locos. ie A1SLT and Riley.
So, all steam owners need to get their best tape measures out!

 

This is something I don't quite get - From what I have just found out with the gauging issues - A Bulleid Pacific seems to be lighter at 87 tons compared to an A1 Pacific at 105 tons. Then there is the length of a bulleid to 67ft to an A1 peppercorn of 72ft...Also a Steam chest on a bulleid is smaller; compared to an A1.... Go figure......

 

I may be wrong, but I thought I had read once that Tornado was built with a few changes from the original locos in that class to increase route availability where gauging issues could arise?

Not dramatic changes, but I can't remember what they were.

Or maybe I dreamed it.

A Steam Dream in fact! LOL!

 

I think I have found the differences - As you say there isn't much in it. If you would like me to post; please let me know.

 

It would be very interesting to know why, as its good for the A1ST and Ian Riley its not great news for other loco owners.

Stephen

 

Any ideas how I can upload the comparison table (Word format) to the Forum?

 

Quite 'in-correct' actually. Tangmere did not stall, the driver missed the AWS. Also once the 47 was attached it was also unable to start the train so Tangmere had to assist the assisting loco! (And this is coming from a 'paraffin can' (class 73) fan!)

 

Quite unbelievable, Kent had one of the smallest loading gauges on the National Network to begin with but NR have somehow managed to make it even smaller, well done.....

Never understood why there has never been a gradual programme to increase the loading gauge under bridges and tunnels in the UK as track renewal becomes required with the eventual aim of bigger rolling stock being made to a larger loading gauge.

 

Railway Herald mentions overall height limit [Tornado is apparently 'only' 13ft high!]. Anything over that seems to infringe the "dynamic envelope" so haven't a clue what Tangmere (for example) measures - more than 13ft I guess.

 

There is - new or rebuilt structures are usually built with generous clearances to allow hi-cube container traffic and future OHLE.

Chris

 

Time for Tangy again.

Cleared the Battledown Flyover OK back in 2008!

 

The most interesting aspect of the article (and worrying) is that 70013 traversed the route in September when it shouldn't have. This loco is now part of the prohibition notice which is based on measurements obtained in January, therefore 70013 should not have travelled that route after January if it did not fit. It did run however, and more importantly did not re-arrange any bridges. Is that down to luck or Network Rail being overcautious? How did 70013 manage to run down a route it is now banned from? These are questions that need answers as this shouldn't have happened.
Incidently, 70013 is 0.25 of an inch taller than Tornado, which is allowed under said bridge at 5mph.

 

The question is though, have any previous tours gone through Shakespeare with a box on the back? 70013 didn't have one on the Spitfire in May. That bimbled around via a different route only being attached when required for reversals.

 

Not as far as I am aware. It has always been prohibited to have a diesel on the back of trains that pass through Shakespeare Tunnel because of difficulties it would cause in train evacuation, should the need arise.

 

Tell me please the difficulties that would arise by attaching a diesel?

 

You can't evacuate via the vestibule on the rear coach...