WHR/FR news

Well, it certainly looks a lot worse.

.... so you're equivocal about the idea then?

 

Fair enough, I reckon it's an issue that splits the proverbial camp down the middle anyway.

Is this Fairratt thing really being planned or is it just an idea currently ?.

 

Ah yes, but how much of it would survive a rebuild? In 'real railway' terms the question would not arise. The question would be; is it worth the cost of overhaul? Would it be cheaper, and wiser, to build new? The answer, I'm sure, would be new build with, maybe, a couple of odds and sods such as brake rigging and wheel centres salvaged from the melting pot. That is how 'real' railways worked. LT is fine where it is and, perhaps, better off because most of what is at York is a fine example of the illusionists' art. It looks the part but any attempt at serious resurrection would, surely, throw the baby out with the bath water.

 

From the designer's notes, which he was kind enough to send me:
Uniform axle load of approximately 7 1/2 Tons, with each axle transmitting the same tractive effort, therefore:-
Due to the boiler weight distribution an 0-6-0 bogie would be required under that end (78” wheel base) and an 0-4-0 bogie under the cab, bunker and auxiliary equipment (72” w/b).

This configuration is proposed to gain maximum adhesion with a near-enough constant loading on all axles. Making the back end a 6-coupled unit would make it more inclined to lose traction.

 

Thanks Tony, very interesting.

 

I wonder how itwould compare with one of the 0-10-0 Luttermollers from Preston Services. I guess these were designed as powerful low speed engines but is there anyone who can offer a more authorative view?

 

Am I right in thinking a lot of parts on Livingston Thompson are life expired anyway ?.

If it's WHR power we are talking about then LT isn't much anyway, Fairlies powerfull as they are can't compete with the Garratt's in terms of tractive effort,

 

Yes. The boiler was condemned in 1971. Bogie parts were used in the new Earl of Merioneth so, when restored for display, LT's bogies were assembled using worn out parts from several locos.

 

Could someone tell me what the tightest curve is on the WHR?

 

Probably Bryn y Felin... Its so tight its more of a corner!

 

I was actually wondering if someone had the radius.

 

I believe that the tightest curves on the WHR main line are 60m.

 

Tightest curve is the lead off Britannia bridge, and is about 50m rad, just over the design spec of an NGG16, when 87 first traversed it we stopped the engine right there and checked everything was O.K....nothing untoward has happened so far. I wonder if some of the pointwork on the FR ( in Blodge that we use) is tighter. The standard SAR turnouts are about 70m rad.

I suspect all the speculation about Russell not being able to traverse a 50m curve it is just that.

BTW, Tylers curve on the FR was reported to be two chains ( 40.2m), but has been eased somewhat.

Regards

Peter

 

So, in other words, an NGG16 could manage a three chain radius curve no probs? (3-radius is I believe the ruling maximum on the VoR) - don't worry, not planning anything daft, just pondering rewriting history in 16mm scale...

 

A copy of Gordon Rushton's hefty tome on rebuilding the Welsh Highland arrived with me today. If you're a Welsh Highland enthusiast I highly recommend you get a copy - it's not cheap, but you do get nearly 450 colour pages which thoroughly detail the rebuilding of the railway. You can buy it from Adlestrop Press or the FR shop.

 

A few shots from the railways:

Double Fairlie & Toast | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Attention Time | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Blue Tuesday | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Heading For Home | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Is this one of the first components of the proposed Fairratt?

Saw this cylinder casting at Boston Lodge yesterday, with a faint "Fairratt" in chalk written upon it. It does look like a new Garratt cylinder though, possibly "tagged" by a wag at Blodge. Can anyone confirm?

Cheers

Alan

 

No Fairratt is being built.

 

Wag tagging and Garratt Casting confirmed...

 

I think for the neer future any way we can end the debate on LT, the superstructure is as an fr built fairly was back in the old company years, she is also protected by the company and supporters saying she will not be restored, really we cannot ascertain her condition as since she failed she has not been examined in any way but apart from the boiler frame, works plats and fitting/pipework she would mostly be thrown away sadly. But i still personally would like to see her on display back in wales in the future so she has some fr company near by. I think that a better idea would be to sell lyd and get mountineer fixed properly and build another DLG by the name of Alan francies pegler.
thanks
Patrick