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White Cliffs Circular, 34067 22/12/11

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Southofthethames, Dec 20, 2011.

  1. VirtualSteam

    VirtualSteam Member

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    On time at ashford -37 pushing very hard
     
  2. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    I'm seeing several reports of 37685 doing quite a bit of work on this tour - at my view at Tulse Hill 'Tangmere' was worked hard through the station (via pfm. 4, unusually) but without a trace of slipping, yet the 37 kicked in noisily for the climb towards Streatham - why? It seems that, possibly arising from the Deal incident, the pendulum has swung all the way across such that any strenuous effort by the steam must be a sign of problems! Surely, an insurance loco should be just that - for when the lead loco gets into difficulty? Keeping time seems not to be the issue, given the early running by Godstone. Over-cautious operating?
     
  3. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'm sure I've read that the loco on the rear doesn't shove unless asked. Can anyone confirm this?
     
  4. thickmike

    thickmike Member

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    37 was pushinh hard past Norbury earlier as well - was worried it was diesel hauled since I only heard it from a distance
     
  5. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    thats very disappointing, is this some problem with Tangmere in particular? Can anyone say when it last did a trip without a box?
     
  6. nickb

    nickb New Member

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  7. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Whatever the "rules" are & what actually happens can vary by a mile.
     
  8. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Yet again this subject has come up , and YET ACAIN Tangmere is involved. Why is this engine particularly singled out?
    If I was Tangmere's owner I would be asking some very serious questions as to why "my" loco cannot be trusted out on the main line on it's own. Plus would also threaten to withdraw the loco from main line service.
     
  9. spindizzy

    spindizzy Member

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    Well she managed quite well on the 9th of July this year non stop to Southampton and then and then kept time on ACE schedule from Salisbury to just outside Waterloo. Other trips to Weymouth have seen her on her own and performing well.
     
  10. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    I suspect 'Tangmere' has been 'singled out' because of the serious delays (5 hours) caused when it stalled leaving Deal several weeks ago, when it was running 'solo'. The blame for that may not lie with the loco (a scheduled stop at Deal then a re-start in damp conditions up a significant bank were testing conditions for any lone motive power, let alone for the notoriously light-footed BoBs) but, even with a planned non-stop run there this time, there is no guarantee that the train would not encounter a signal check there anyway, leading to a similar potential stall. So...the diesel as insurance may have been a necessary evil, but it does not explain seemingly unnecessary assistance at other locations en route. Probably an over-zealous driver at the back wanting to play his part.
     
  11. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    It is an interesting fall from grace for 34067 from the triumph of unassisted up Upwey bank to the debacles of both Filton and Martin Mill . If you read some postings on the engine across the web there are those whose opinions are that she is not in the best of health .

    I'm sure others can respond better and maybe it's a combination of loss of trust and some frailty that leads us here
     
  12. tom92240

    tom92240 Part of the furniture

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    Tangmere came through the East side of Tonbridge on time and making the most noise I have heard a Bulleid make, ever. The 37 was ticking over on the back. She didn't disappoint the group on the bridge anyway!

    [​IMG]
     
  13. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Wasn't Filton an exceptional case? A sudden TPWS brake application.
     
  14. VirtualSteam

    VirtualSteam Member

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    Came through Ashford more or less on time - 37 was on more than tick over
     
  15. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    It does seem that way.
     
  16. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    It's not the fact it stopped on Filton but the fact it couldent restart, it could just as easily have got a red signal on the bank too, as i've said before 34067 has also come to grief at Exeter, Goodrington & Ore as well as Filton & Martin Mill, so i highly suspect the idea of 'lost trust' is pretty near the truth.

    So the million pound question as to how to get the Diesel off 34067's back - a number of reliable trouble free runs to try and restore peoples trust in it would seem the best way.
     
  17. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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  18. VirtualSteam

    VirtualSteam Member

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    Couple of pics from today. First shows Tangmere leaving Ashford on the Canterbury curve. Second shows Tangmere approachng Chart Leacon
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  19. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    There are a lot of stories about Exeter despite the 1in37 bank. Overloaded train, theory that 34067 wasn't doing much work leaving it all to 76079. As for Goodrington, that was on the P&DSR not on the main line. 5239 soon came to the rescue.
     
  20. Matt35027

    Matt35027 Well-Known Member

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    Happy to confirm that she stormed up Martin Mill with the 37 on tickover. Video will be up later.
     

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