34046 Braunton

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

It was actually at Paddock Wood. (Pity it wasn't Headcorn - I was on the bridge just East of Paddock Wood on a cloudless morning and never got my picture. Still, one mustn't complain - I only lost a photo. Richard Bowker, who was a guest on the footplate, got scalded) Until then, 35005 had been performing well. I believe it broke some sort of record for the climb from Tonbridge to Sevenoaks, and it produced a superb performance on a CE back from Salisbury - 74.5 average between Basingstoke and Brookwood. I was on this train and we really seemed to be flying along (I notice that no detailed timings were ever published of this section of the run!) Hopefully 34046 (to get back on topic) will be giving us some similar superb performances before too long.

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

Was it a burst small tube rather than a blowback?

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

Paddock Wood, yes, that was it !

I do remember the RB scalding incident, not good but the reporting I read at the time mentioned blowback. Actually, I now remember mention of a fusible plug being launched somewhere.

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

I too remember those classic runs with "CanPac" Also one from Bristol to Plymouth and back pre SD days when it broke the record for the westbound climb to Dainton tunnel, (broken again by 5043 recently of course), and a run for VT from Birmingham SH to Kingswear and back.

Terrific loco and yes it'll be good when Braunton is on NR and hopefully achieving similar feats !

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

With picture evidence of LNER 4472 still in York 8 days ago, unless Scotsman is back in Bury, I'm hoping that She(Braunton) is next in line to be completed.

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

Be rest assured that work is being carried out on Braunton.

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

Some good news to share

I spoke to one of the support crew for 4464 on Sunday during a water stop for the Torbay Express. He also has a connection with 34046 as from the West Somerset Railway. He seemed hopeful, only hopeful mind that 34046 will be running by September end.

Lets hope it works out that way. I for one can't wait to see this loco pulling a train on network rail.

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

You're not the only one! Thanks for passing on this little snippet.

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

No problem, it's a pleasure. Important thing is not to expect anything until it happens I suppose.

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

Agreed. Hopeful signs, though, are very welcome. More power to Riley & Sons' elbow!

 

Re: 34046 Braunton - Health check

Absolutely, I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait !

We're in the midst of another golden age as Mike Notley put it on the platform at Cardiff Central on Monday afternoon.

 

What is the latest news on this locomotive please?

 

Work still progressing at the Riley & Son works in Bury.

 

Just seen some interesting pictures of 34046 on the "other side" by IR. Looks like it is having lot of work done to it besides the fitting of air braking & other main line gubbins. The driving wheels are out & the axle boxes have been overhauled by the look of it. Also work on the motion is being carried out.

 

Would be nice if it was fit enough to figure in the ELR gala at the end of October, wishful thinking probably.

 

Didnt she slip a tyre at the WSR before moving up north? Maybe this is the reason for the wheelsets to be out?

 

Yes, on the right-side - about year ago now if I recall

 

I wonder if anything is being done to get a new boiler cert as well - the old one is ticking away - about 4-5 years gone, I think. That wouldn't give too long a stint on the main line before more work will be needed. Still, doubtless all will be revealed in due time. When 34046 does emerge, she will be almost a brand new loco!

 

All driving wheels were due to be retyred if memory serves me correctly following the problem last year with the one that slipped - possibly shown up other work taking the motion etc down to drop the wheels - Dick

 

Is it just me or are others on the praying block for Bruanton at the moment. A series of November December trips are approaching