45699 Galatea

I did enjoy riding behind Leander when it visited the Bluebell in 2004. And Green Arrow the year before. Not really listened to a roar from a Jubilee other than behind the loco.

 

I'll second that. My first, and only, steam ascent of the Lickey I've witnessed. If I don't see another I won't regret it - 5690's climb was awesome. The jet fighter sounding roar as the loco hit the bottom of the bank at speed was incredible.

 

Here is the proof
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZS5Udg4jkk

 

That is one incredible sound.

 

It's quite something!

 

What on earth was that coming out of the cab at 1:01?!

Incredible sound, but I wasn't expecting fireworks from under that bridge!

 

Mmm, I'm prepared to be shot down in flames, but I'll stick my neck out...

It seems to occur as the loco passes beneath the road bridge. With one hell of a blast obviously roaring up the chimney I'd say the firehole door was open and for the brief moment the exhaust was obstructed by the bridge, the blast threw the flame back out the firehole door!
:flame:

As soon as the chimney passed the other side of the bridge it would have rapidly drawn it back through the 'normal' way again. Probably gave those on the footplate a surprise!

 

And also a pretty short haircut!

 

I hadn't noticed that first time round but that's quite a flash that fills the cab! I would agree with what I Cooper said, I'm not sure what else it could be.

 

I'm clutching at straws a bit but, if that had been a blowback, however briefly, someone would have been burned. The 'flash' seems to be above the cab and occurs as the cab is passing under the bridge, not the chimney. Is it not something as simple as the firebox glow through the cab roof ventilator being reflected by the steam? I don't know, only guessing.

 

Minor blowbacks aren't that uncommon and can be caused by the blower being insufficiently on when passing under overhead structures or even when the regulator is simply closed quickly. Most dissipate themselves by venting through the gap between the cab roof and tender. I've seen this on 2968, and a quick turn of the blower stopped it; no-one was injured as no-one was standing in front of the firehole, and so in the flame path.

As to the time delay, the gases passing through the tubes have momentum and don't stop instantly, change direction and exit through the firehole door. There would be a slight time lag, as shown here.

 

Nothing to do with a blow back. it was simply the glow from the fire hole doors in the exhaust. Judging by the fact that the train lights were on the daylight must have been fading which produces that effect.

 

Well, I've been on the footplate for nearly 50 years and fortunately I've never experienced one that would 'vent itself through the gap between the cab roof and tender'. Your statement that 'no-one was injured as no-one was standing in front of the firehole' intimates that it was pure good fortune. If you get these from time to time then serious questions need asking as to the reasons why.

 

I was trying to think why the firebox doors would be open. I was always taught that not to fire when going under bridges and at that speed with that force of the blast I can't imagine it would be good practise.

Could the door have been wedged open by the flap that LMS (and BR) engines have with the door closed around it?

 

Happened with a Light Pacific climbing Roundwood in 1967. Starting from Winchester and 85 mph (yes 85 mph), over the summit of Roundwood. Very light load. Driver Bill Anderson senior.

Well known Bluebell driver of today, just one of us keen enthusiasts in those days was "helping" on the footplate, like you did in those days. And got caught in a fierce blowback as the loco went into Roundwood tunnel. Got a burned face and spent a night in hospital. Didn't scar though.

Bill never gave fortplate rides after that. I think it shook him up a lot.

I think that was the only footplate incident I can remember. And here were enormous numbers of rides given. Well known to the loco inspectors too. Usually with the locos being worked very hard indeed. Ah, the good old days!

And talking of working hard. The Jub clip above somewhere at the bottom of Lickey is superb. Only ever had one run behind that class. 10.11 ? Leeds Carlisle in 1968. Enough for me to become a fan of that class.

But for out and out noise, I doubt anything will ever beat 34102 Lapford passing Fleet on her way to what I eventually, ( 43 years later), accepted was a true 100 mph, (my brother Don's detailed log, which should have been used in DWW's book, leaves no doubt in my mind). A stupendous row from a totally knackered loco. Likened at the time to a mark 1 Boeing 707 with the original unsilenced engines taking off in a tunnel!

With German 012 100-4's storm through Paderborn maybe 5 years ago in the attack of the bank to Altenbeken which had bystanders running away from the track or standing totally aghast with hands firmly over ears, a close second.

 

Back to "Galatea", the answer has to be that David Smith and his team will be fitting in the work as and when they have the time to so do. I guess it will be an attractive loco to have available at Carnforth, given the combinations of double-heading over Northern gradients with the Black 5 and Scots Guardsman available.

 

That'll be Soapy. He had to wait till he got back home before going to hospital and concoct an excuse about throwing petrol on a bonfire so questions wouldn't be asked..

10.17, to be precise and it would be 1967, but it was a long time ago so you're excused!

 

Best sound from a Jubilee?.......February 1964, Bihar & Orissa blasting through Huddersfield station. Standing start at Hillhouse box. It rattled the Richter scale. Bit of "enthusiastic" (very) crewing. :clap2:

 

Getting back to the original question about 5699, does anyone know if Carnforth have a full set of rods/motion? I only ask as Tyseley are probably selling their spare Jube motion to the Patriot project.

Dave

 

Very unlikely that David Smith would have forgone the opportunity to purchase any missing motion parts from Tyseley. Despite the absolute wreck the engine looked I remember being told that the boiler is in fantastic condition and was only overhauled at Crewe shortly before her withdrawal. Hard to believe but apparently so.