New Loco for IoM Railways?

Jarvis and Thompson did.

 

Hmmm, it seems that you can't make up your mind if it is "re-manufactured" or a "re-build", perhaps you mean that they are one and the same with reference to an overhaul of a locomotive for further work. As for "fit for purpose", how do you know if it was or wasn't?

Ostensibly, all British steam locomotives were regularly "re-manufactured" or "rebuilt" by the main line railway companies when they were worn out, often with many new components, some as large as boilers, cylinders, main frames, wheels, etc., sometimes, almost everything was new. This process continues to this very day, with many diesel locos being "re-manufactured" for further service, such as class 47 to class 57, class 60, even some class 73 are being "re-manufactured" with much larger power units after decades in service; were they "complete crap" before their "re-manufacture"? I, for one, am not qualified to answer that.

Looking at the new Isle of Man loco, I may be wrong but it looks like a "re-build" of one of the 3'-0" gauge switchers that worked in Mexico for many years. It's of a size and weight to run on the Isle of Man, plus it would seem to have a power rating to cover the specification outlined by the purchaser; you never know, it could be "fit for purpose"!!!

As to whether the loco is a success or"complete crap" - is that an engineering term? - in it's new role on the Isle of Man, only time will tell.

Cheers

Alan

 

You won't be able to see anything of the train being shunted regardless of which cab you're in from the seat, and it looks like it might be a stretch to lean out the side windows and still reach the controls.

 

Thanks for that info, Alan - could you point us at pic of what you suspect number 21 was rebuilt from?

 

Something like this maybe:

 

You mean those one's that the oil bath caught fire on and the reverser constantly changed it's mind

 

47's were nicknamed "Duffs" for a reason with some very dodgy availability at times, swapping their leaky engines for a bulletproof in terms of reliability GM type was a good idea.

Likewise, the proposal to rebuild 73's is because away from the 3rd rail on Diesel power, they have the raw power of a lawnmower (less than 900HP I believe without looking it up), a main reason they never ventured far from the juice in BR days.

In this context I mean re as in rebuilt or remanufactored, as I regard an overhaul as replacing life expired components with identical new or repaired ones, if a design has been changed in a number of area's then it has most likely been done for a reason, in that these area's are unsuitable, the diesel power unit on the 47's and 73's being an example.

 

Would someone else please reply to this nonsense, I'm getting fed-up with know-nothings spouting on about engineering matters of which thy have absolutely no comprehension.

Cheers

Alan

 

Sounds like a Swindon design to me.
And for the record no Bulleid had an oil bath fire.

 

- but the oil soaked lagging certainly went on fire - and Swindon locos didn't depend on bike chains they used proper valve gear! Ray.

 

Back on topic,
The new diesel loco for the Isle of Man Steam Rly arrived yesterday, 11th December.


http://www.gov.im/publictransport/ViewNews.gov?page=lib/news/publictransport/dieselelectriclo.xml

some pictures here:

http://railequipmentsolutions.com/arrival-photos-project-550/

 

and video here

 

Sounds good that one !

 

As there has been official 'silence' on this subject for some time forum members may be interested in the attached extract from last week's 'Manx Independent' newspaper. The unfortunate loco previously hit the headlines when, on diner train duty, it had to be rescued by the 140 yr old steam loco 'Loch' - which is ironic as the diesel was purchased to perform "Thunderbird" duties. The loco has not worked since T.T. week 2015 when it was withdrawn with loose tyres and currently lies, sans bogies, behind the bus workshops. No 21 a.k.a "The Cabbage" was built by Motive Power & Equipment Solutions Inc. of Greenville South Carolina. It is debatable as to what extent the loco's problems are down to poor design and how much is attributable to poor manufacturing. It will be interesting to hear which firm decides to take on the rebuild of the bogies. So, if you want to visit a 100% steam - worked railway you still can - the next big event is the 'Manx Heritage Transport Festival' from 27th - 31st July. More info on www.rail.im
Ray.

 

Apologies for resurrecting a very old part of this thread, but for the record, 'Viking' never was "regauged from metre" or any other gauge - it has always been 900mm which is near enough 3'. The loco's alleged track wrecking reputation comes from it's vertical oscillation at speed caused by the short wheelbase and heavy overhangs front and back. One seriously wonders where 'stories' such as "pushing the wheels in on one side only" come from - the danger is that once it appears 'in print' it becomes a 'fact'.
'Viking' came from a brown coal mine Braunschweigische Kohlenbergwerke near Helmstedt where it was #208. Last year its two sisters #209/10 which had not worked since 1993 went into preservation at a coal mining museum railway near Leipzig.
Ray.

 

Not sure why they have so many problems sourcing a diesel loco. You can buy 380hp hydraulics off the peg in China (but it would need to be made to gauge as 762mm is the standard over there) e.g. http://www.ktkjccl.com/Products/DieselLocomotive/325634.shtml

 

My personal suspicion is that they didn't look very hard or very far. IIRC they were initially offered a rebuilt Romanian Lyd by a well-known U.K. dealer/manufacturer but were approached by Motive Power & Equipment Solutions after the tender date. There are several companies in Europe and at least one in the U.S. with which I'm familiar that could supply a loco from their standard range, suitably re-gauged, or build a 'bespoke' loco.
Ray.