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34046 Braunton

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by 92143, Oct 18, 2011.

  1. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Was Taw Valley vac only, or did it also have air brakes? I presume it had both when it did the VSOEs in the early 2000s. If it did have a compressor, where was it located?
     
  2. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    If you look at IR's posts on his own forum, he hints that there were some time-consuming 3-way discussions about the air-brake installation. That was a few months ago, though, so they may be resolved now, but other issues have arisen.
     
  3. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    Braunton has been held up due to the priority given to 4472. Driving wheels were removed, retyred at Buckfastleigh and returned to Bury at the start of the year. Air pump and most of the OTMR fittings etc were installed but not commissioned before it left the WSR, but some modifcations were required subsequently to the air brake system. It is a tight squeeze in places but the equipment does all fit ! Hopefully with 4472 now largely reassembled, Braunton will be completed shortly.

    Braunton was expected back at the WSR in good time for the peak summer season. But with six reliable engines currently available (3850, 4160, 6960, 7828, 9351 and 53808) the WSR is not short of motive power, so we might not see so much of it at the WSR this year. Until the slipped tyre problem last autumn, it had completed a substantial trouble-free mileage in WSR service, with the new tender now well run-in.

    David

    PS In some circumstances the engine may be required to move without the support coach (eg when running around), so it is highly desirable that all safety-critical equipment is located on the engine. Unfortunately however it may be necessary in the short term to locate some of the large and power hungry 1st generation ERTMS signal equipment in the support coach. In the slightly longer term, with the large number of countries now adopting ERTMS, hopefully the market size will be sufficient to justify miniaturising ERTMS and reducing power consumption so as to allow all the gear to be carried on the engine.
     
  4. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

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    Who in here is not surprised? I have been thinking that Bury is at the point where they can't wait to have 4472 out of the Shop and operating on Network Rails. Good that 34046 won't take long after FS is out and about. With 34046 designated for so many trips it would be unfortunate for it not to make it out this year. It is booked for quite a few trips. One needs to Hope that she will be ready for one of the Weymouth, Several Royal Dutchy and the West Somerset excursion.

    Hopefully, we all know this though.
     
  5. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    I keep hearing references to miniaturisation of ERTMS equipment. It is true that during the lower parts of the IT maturity curve, IT technology consistently got smaller.
    By converse in the early 1990's these devices started becoming small to the point that power consumption (and ergo heat consumption) exponentially increased.
    The increase in power and cooling lead to massive expenditure in HVAC and Power supplies... think objects the size of a shipping container.

    At the same time, technology standardised... The "U" position is now a defacto IT standard worldwide for nearly 15 years... that is sizing of equipment in 1.75" increments in height, but more crucially.. 19" width and with most regular IT kit.. a depth heading towards the 2' depth.
    Most frames (Racks) for holding this IT is is also becoming standard in size / width... approx 2' width, and approx 2' depth and height variable.
    Since 2000's the IT concentration is less on miniaturisation because of cost of Power / Cooling.. instead focusing on virtualization and cpu usage. (i.e. get more applications on one device instead of one application one device.. with a locomotive this won't work.. the application will only ever service the 1 locomotive it resides on.. ).


    In short.. what I am saying is don't expect the ERTMS equipment to reduce in size / scale anytime soon...and if you do.. expect the Power requirement (and more importantly the cooling requirement) to exponentially increase... It's hard to provide constant 4-6kw+ (circa range 16-32amps) of power and lose 4-6kw (13k-20k BTU) of cooling and keep an ambient clean filtered air temperature of 21c-26c (69F - 78F) on the footplate of a steam locomotive, even if you could reduce the need for something the size of a double wardrobe on the footplate.

    My expectation is either permanent coupled support coaches.. or redesigned tenders.. I am pretty certain an LNER 8 wheel tender could do the job, and there is a popular "water cooled" method in IT for high density heat cooling.. and tenders have lots of water... and a corridor connection could hold an IT server rack, power and cooling... i'm not sure about a tank engine though... that may need a fake tank and some specialist kit.

    maybe another solution is to permanently add a cct van as part of the locomotive.. it could hold a bit of water too.
     
  6. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    David,

    Thank you for this helpful and informed update. The priority given to 4472 is no surprise really. After all the fuss about the outstanding problems discovered last year, Ian Riley, having won the contract, would inevitably have wanted to do a Rolls Royce job, even if it has taken longer than anticipated, and I'm sure he has done so. A bit frustrating for the many of us looking forward to 34046's main line début, and I would not be surprised to hear that 4472 has also held up work on 35027 and 35009, both of which I am also looking forward to sampling in action, but it can't be helped. Anyway, by the sound of thngs, it shouldn't be long before the NRM's mobile flagship is in action again, so hopefully Braunton will not be too long in following.
     
  7. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    >>>In short.. what I am saying is don't expect the ERTMS equipment to reduce in size / scale anytime soon...and if you do.. expect the Power requirement (and more importantly the cooling requirement) to exponentially increase...

    In the IT game all of that is true. However the IT game is not applicable in this respect. This is an industrial application of technology. It won't be asked to upscale, provide more capacity or handle more users or do it faster. ERTMS is a fixed set of functions, (in IT terms pretty basic at that) with little need for the IT targets of doubling in horsepower every few years. Advances in chip technology (smaller fab sizes) easily reduce power requirements and heat output. The 19 inch rack is just a form factor, a chassis size. Its that standardisation that creates heat and power problems as more and more is squeezed into an unsuitable mechanical cage.

    All in all there is no reason at all why ERTMS could not be substantially reduced in size and environmentals (cooling and power) exactly like your mobile phone has become.

    The real problem is the hostile environment. ERTMS is designed for modern locomotive units, all of which are now pretty benign places. Sticking it in a Steam loco is like asking it to work in the bowels of hell, steam, fire and heavy mechanical vibration really don't mix with modern electronics. The equipment will need to be hardened (thats an IT Term for physical protection) in some way for reliable working on a steam loco. There is your major issue with trying to "modernise" steam running.
     
  8. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    Can someone expound upon the Spring hangers on this (and any other wc/bb) Loco. were they a welded fabrication ? and are the ones between the driving wheels made as two pairs joined with a horizontal stretcher as they appear to be ?
    ta
     
  9. Andy2857

    Andy2857 Member

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    Taw Valley had and still does have dual braking. When it returns to service the air braking will remain, with a view to the loco working incoming charters on the SVR. Can't remember off the top of my head where the compressor is though.
     
  10. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Between second and third driving axle from what I remember.
     
  11. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Thanks both.
     
  12. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    34046 Braunton - Health check

    Does anybody know the status of Braunton currently ?

    She seems to have been rostered on a number of trips now on which she has subsequently had to be replaced by another locomotive.

    It would be good to hear from anyone in the know how much longer it's likely to be before it turns a wheel on Network Rail.


    Many thanks
     
  13. ashtav0

    ashtav0 New Member

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    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    I was thinking the same it's been held up due to 60103 was the lastest but that was two months ago obviously that was priority to get it in steam for rail fest.
     
  14. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    I've emailed "enquiries@34046braunton.co.uk" asking question whether we can expect to see the loco on NR before year end. Will post answer if I get one.

    The most recent update on the news section of their website is dated end of 2011 so not holding my breath !
     
  15. camraman

    camraman Member

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    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    More likely to see 'Galatea' than the pair mentioned!
     
  16. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    Mmm, or maybe even "The Volcano" !
     
  17. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    No, my planned run with built again D1 4-4-0 31739 doubleheading built again 35001 in original condition on an exact replica of the up Night Ferry from Dover to Victoria will be a weekly event long before 34046
    stirs out onto the main line. IMHO. (wink).


    Bryan - the fund for those two built again locos has already raced past £10 - B
     
  18. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

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    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    Is Flying Scotsman still in York?
    If so, it would be nice to see Braunton get the green light. Since 44871 is back in Bury, one would think that there are people working in the Engine house. Is there anyone in the know?
     
  19. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    I understand 103/502 is back at Bury for finishing off, although there is no date for the return of the engine.

    James at SVN
     
  20. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

    I think there is a bit more than finishing off............
     

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