34073 moved?

35011 donated to 34046 because it had a WC/BoB centre driver, fitted so it wouldn't be towed to Barry as a 4-2-0-2-2. Unless 34073 has an MN wheelset I don't think it will be donating a wheel to 35018, or much else...

Getting to that picture, in my experience when an engine is sat alone on an isolated piece of track its future doesn't look promising

I do remember someone saying a few years back that 34016 had a 'hole' in its firebox (their words not mine), 34073 being the last BoB without a certain future would seem the most suitable donor

 

I don't think it did.
My money is on it forming the WCRC strategic reserve (like the one in Box tunnel) but it's pure speculation on my part.

 

The crank axle from 34073 might not be of much use in a Merchant Navy (unless it was being unrebuilt) but all the other wheelsets potentially could be. I would imagine that the WC/BB boilers are interchangeable between rebuilt and original versions, with different smokeboxes but I have to admit that I don't know for sure.

The 35011/34046 exchange occured because 34046 had a faulty crank axle and it was a quick way of replacing it . From earlier in this thread, the piston stroke is the same for all three classes and the rebuilt engines are interchangeable , but presumably there are significant differences between the axles for the chain driven valve gear and Walschaerts.

 

I don't think the centre wheelset fitted to 35011 after withdrawal had a crank axle. I have always been led to believe that it was just a plain axle from a Light Pacific.

 

Not sure what info I'm required to impart.

 

Centre drivers for 34072 - original. Note chain wheel on axle.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/Restoration2013#5892963719922200162

Centre drivers for 34053 - modified. Note eccentric on axle.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/RewheelingOfSirKeithPark#5600249107404432050

 

So this is a purely hypothetical question, and is not leading on to a suggestion of a new build! Out of all the cast components of a Bulleid, what sort of (very rough) percentage do patterns exist for? Was just thinking that a fair chunk must exist between Southern Steam, BLS, BBLS MNLPS, Hosking and various others... Was wondering if Bulleids are the most complete in that regard, or Black 5s, or even just GWR locos in general (Swindon standardisation and all...)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Some suitably abstruse comment that will enable endless wild hypothesising in the best traditions of NP.

 

remember that these engines have steel fireboxes so even if the boiler on 34016 has a hole somewhere in its firebox, it can be welded, but i remember someone saying, Andy Netherwood ,i think that it was mostly crown stays and such, but as the engine would not be seeing out a full 10 year ticket on the MHR they would not repair it, this was before the u class was overhauled, so its possible that there was un seen problems, .
Why was 34073 bought in the first place? i can remember geof gore purchased her from brighton, but said at the time, she had to be sold on again, was it to swop something on tangmere?

 

Got you now. It's just that your reply appeared after a question about John Bunch's loco ownership so was a tad confused.
I think I know the answer but I'm checking with the experts.

 

(Edit - I'll defer to Spamcan...)

 

"Are the boilers interchangeable between rebuilds and un rebuilt versions" i think that they might very well be, the only thing i am not sure about is the front tubeplate, was that changed when the locos were rebuilt as you then had a round smokebox anyone got a picture of an rebuilt boiler minus smoke box, and an un rebuilt to compare with?

 

Martin, the smokebox on an unrebuilt was a fabrication, whereas the smokebox on a rebuild was rolled and fitted directly onto the boiler.

 

I would imagine that a certain A1 pacific is the most complete in terms of patterns held.... haha

 

Unless the front tubeplate was an integral part of the fabricated smokebox on an unrebuilt, then I'd have to say the boilers are pretty much identical in themeselves. At the risk over-simplification, both designs of smokebox were effectively inserted over the end of the boiler barrel. Not sure how they were fixed, though; welded or riveted? Presumably the latter.

 

When I was at Bury about 18 months ago with 45551 I was told some of the bits that had gone towards 34067 were to be replaced. So there might not be as much missing as everyone thinks.

 

There's a significant reduction in superheat on the rebuilt locos, though I don't know how (or why) this was achieved.