45699 Galatea

THE Jube is working hard with strong intermittent blasts and lifting any smaller particles of coal both burnt and un burnt probably being fired steadily and continuously.
The Brit isn't, its only doing enough to keep its train moving at 20mph or so as its running towards adverse signals...?

 

Also one of the prerequisites of the Britannia design was a boiler-firebox design that could burn poorer quality coal, whereas a Jubilee firebox will not make steam at the same rate, with similar coal.

 

As has been pointed out a Jubilee is a racehorse but a shire is more the order of the day to slog a heavy load up a steep hill. Especially with a cold start and indifferent coal.
The latter issue is strange because one of the trading arms at Carnforth is coal merchant so access to best quality should in theory be better than most.

 

From inception Jubilees had a reputation as poor steamers and there were several boiler and draughting modifications; the final result being acceptable rather than exceptional. Boiler dimensions are very similar to a Black 5 and perhaps the boiler fitted to the Black 5s may be better proportioned. Jubilees were designed for moderate weight expresses and the LMS classification of 5XP perhaps better reflects their capabilities than does 6P.

Although seemingly identical, individual members of a class were often regarded as a "good 'un" or the best, perhaps Leander is one of those and Galatea should be regarded as typical.

A cold start from Carnforth, with a heavy load (for a Jubilee) and possibly poor coal all combine to give the problems on Saturday. Maybe Leander would have done better. Even larger engines seem to give a more measured performance when starting from Carnforth than further south when the fire has been conditioned.

Galatea seems well capable of working 9 coaches over the S&C (with ease?) but 11 northbound over Shap seems a risk (it needs 63% more HP to lift 11 up 1 in 75 than 9 up 1 in 100 - and at the same speed at least 63% more steam). Galatea has a class 5 boiler!

 

Ah but the best is never the cheapest!!!

 

c.20 years newer designed 7P performs better than 6P going up hill with similar loads shocker!

 

You could also add in the fact that Galatea is 5 minutes into its preserved mainline career having been restored from an utter wreck. Having seen it many moons ago at Carnforth I'd never have imagine it would ever have made it onto the mainline. I'd imagine it'll take a long old time before it's running to its maximum potential, years rather than months.

Simon

 

Given the grate area of the Jubilee class and observing that some 4000+ hp can be maintained from 40 sq.ft. of grate with a compound and around 3000 hp for a simple then steam production for Galatea (and the others) should not be an issue providing that the fuel met an agreeable base standard. If the engine does not steam check for vacuum leaks and look to the exhaust system design. A really good exhaust system acts as a degree of insurance against leakage.
61994 has a smaller boiler than the Jubilee. It has been caught out by the coal quality issue but seems to produce steam sufficient to deliver good performances with heavy loads once the fireman has come to terms with the characteristics of the machine.
5596 is a while away but at least it features an attempt to improve the exhaust system. You could do a great deal more with little or no change to its external appearance if either desired or required.
Yes, I like the Jubilees, the more so since the days of my many trips with 5690 and learning that they have far superior frame reliability than the larger Royal Scot.

 

There was a lovely photo by Gav. Morrison of Galatea on Holbeck , after working a nothhbound 'Devonian' in the book of the same name, where he describes her as Best in Class, which seems to have been accepted then.

 

And if you want to read another positive take on Galatea's performance in times past then Terry Essery's description of a trip up the Lickey is well worth reading. Galatea was obviously a good 'un once.

 

Is it possible that this trip was the first time the fireman had dealt with a Jubilee & it took him a bit of time to get into the swing of things with a new engine & dubious quality coal? That's no criticism of anyone on the footplate - it happened pre 1968 & it will happen now. Whether DBS or WCRC, the footplate crews are all part time on steam & learning every trip. Had the Brit not been following so close would there have been pages of comment on Galatea's performance? Probably not. On Saturday the footplate crew would have gained a bit more knowledge & experience that they will put into practice on their next trip & chances are we'll all be singing their praises after watching the videos of 4XXXX storming Shap.

 

Just to clear up any possible misunderstanding, DBS drivers and firemen are all full-time drivers for the company although, obviously, steam work forms only a small part of their overall work. I suspect that that's what you meant but just thought I'd draw attention to this for clarity.

 

Thanks for your comment - you're right & post amended.

 

You probably don't realise how ironic your post is Spicer21, if Tyseley hadn't sold 5699 to Carnforth against the wishes of the Galatea Trust, they would probably have got the contract to overhaul her!

Dave

 

Maybe she still is and her best is yet to come, or maybe we have unrealistic expectations. She certainly seems comfortable with 8/9 coaches.

 

Let's hope she makes it into everyone's good books, although I fear some people have already made up their minds and will look for "evidence" to prove their assertions.

 

That is a very sensible post if I may say. The main variable that needs to be properly managed is the trailing load in relation to the route. Whether '99 is a good un or not, overloading is not wise regardless of arguments about if a sister loco or comparable class could do better. Power ratings were not arbitrary and just because prodigious loads in emergency have occurred does not mean they should be a routine occurrence.

 

Paint it Green, that will sort it out !!!