34046 Braunton

Seems a bit strange that no-one saw that coming, doesn't it? I understood that Ian Riley's own engines are being converted to GSMR, so he's clearly aware of the need, and if he's had the contract to bring the loco up to main line spec one would have imagined that would have been a fairly integral part of it!

 

I don't think GSMR is that much of a hurdle technically, basically being a jumped up NR phone network, but it's still requires time and money to fit, that said, I Believe GSMR for now at least, is only live below a line from the Wash to the Severn, so could technically work a CME for example, but useless south of the Midlands, given Braunton likely to spend a fair chunk of time at Southall (many loco's can work up north or west, but few into Kent/Sussex), it makes sense to deal with it now than fanny about for a few months up north.

 

Mr Hoskings doesn't seem to be having much luck getting is loco's back to the mainline, Braunton has now been at Bury for 15 months. It suggests on here (so it must be true!) that she was moved up there for the air braking to be completed and commissioned, the driving wheels to be removed, retyred and refitted and main line certification to be completed, I assume they must have uncovered some nasties for it to have taken this long as Bury have turned round five's complete overhauls in about a third of that time - I know there were delays with 4472 taking up workshop space, that all died down middle of last year didn't it. I assume this time will all be eating into her boiler time as well?

Equally Royal Scot has been tied up at Crewe for even longer?

 

35027 Port Line has been waiting a while too, Hope he's got a good Project Manager with everything in hand.
Dont forget theres little point having everything in ticket at once, though from a business case perspective I'd argue the mainline could fit another 2-3 well managed, well maintained class 7/8 locomotives in the south right now.

 

Any progession with the fitting of the required GSMR devices required to run in the south? I was thinking of booking on the ACE tour to Exeter and back on the 7th April - quite liked the idea of the whole trip especially being banked up to Exeter Central - is this the first steam tour to booked up this ascent since Tangmere and the Standard 5 came to grief a few years back?

 

Tangmere had another go a few months, if I remember correctly, after the failed trip.
On the 2nd Sept 2006 (was it that long ago!) Brian Butcher and myself worked her up to Salisbury.
John Bunch was on the footplate with us and was a bit nervous, until I pointed out we had 3300 HP on the rear end to help.
Not that we needed much help, Dave Purvis on the 67 said he only helped us out of St Davids, Tangmere was on her own for much of the climb.
I think that was the last time a steam charter worked in that direction, I could be wrong of course!

 

Believe it or not it was!
76079 + 34067 Exeter Bank - YouTube

 

I was wondering... I think I read the GSMR system went live a few weeks ago, but was curious to know whether 34046 could be inside 34067/60163 on the tours in March to Plymouth. AFAIK both 34067/60163 have had GSMR equipment installed.

I remember reading that Braunton would need to be diesel hauled now if it went south of the Midlands, but could it also be steam hauled on a rail tour without the GSMR installed?

James at SVN

 

The fitting would be down to the owner and Network Rails contractors.

 

That's slightly better than this video linked from that page with two 4MT Tanks! 80080 BR Standard 4 Tank Stalls On 1/37 Incline (1994) - YouTube OUCH!

 

Some quality driving there.
That stock looked in good nick though... was that the same stock we see on some tours today..not repainted since.

Heads back to the sarcasm stone.

 

HI
you say quality driving i think not more like bad driving and with banker the driver needs shooting. FISH7373 81C

 

I think that ADB968008's comment is written with more than a little hint of sarcasm.

 

I was there that day & watched the two locos in Exeter station before the climb. The engine that was eventually the banker was blowing off furiously , so the fireman kept topping here up with the injector , only for her to start blowing again minuets later. So when they started the boiler must have been full as an egg , & probably primed or driver not giving her all , so no real push from the back. We were all commenting on this on the platform, & thats what eventually happend.

 

Looks like a no show at the ELR this weekend............

 

Correct.

 

So is there any chance that the light and loaded mainline test runs are imminent?

 

No point sending something out if its obviously not right. Attention to detail will no doubt pay dividends in the long run.