Lyd

I know, but if you bring yourself down to their level, they win...

 

It was a rather special occasion to see Lyd operating on the L&B, an event that showed what could be achieved on the L&B given a large investment of time and (most importantly) money. Obviously time will tell if Lyd's visit truly is a catalyst for the revival of the L&B.

Whilst Andy is right in stating that, when James Evans started the project, support from the L&B and its membership was zero, (pleasingly) this situation has changed and I know a number of L&B members have contributed financially towards the Lyd Project.

Unfortunately at present Lyd is really too large for both Launceston and the L&B. Great for a bit of fun for a weekend at each but she was an expensive 'caged tiger' - the fuel & transport bills are not cheap and she was doing relatively little work at both railways. I am sure however she will be back to visit both railways again in the future, though I was interested to hear Tony Nicholson on the BBC News report say this would be next year on the L&B - perhaps a little too soon in my opinion as most people who wanted to see Lyd on the L&B will have visited the other weekend and may not be able to justify another trip to Devon so soon (and less of us puffer nutters = less money for the L&B). Plus I thought the next FR loco in the South West would be a Double Fairlie in Cornwall in 2013 if the FR will let one out.....

Incidentally throughout Lyd's South West tour there was a collecting bucket for donations of any value as there is still a small funding shortfall; I am sure those nice people at the FR will still welcome donations to Lyd, large or small, in order to pay for the 'proper' cab corners and 'correct' paint, amongst other things, if anyone would like to send them a cheque.

Charlie

 

I am sure I am not the only one who would have liked to have seen Lyd at Woody Bay and was unable to get there due to other demands on my time - if a visit is announced next year I will try to make it, and I expect that quite a few who made it this time round would try and come again - perhaps in the hope of smaller crowds.

Was the story I heard beforehand that the only parking space was at Blackmoor Gate and visitors had to take a bus from there to Woody Bay true ?

Richard

 

Not quite, there was a park and ride service operating from both Blackmoor Gate and Caffyns! Parking spaces for disabled visitors were available at Woody Bay.

 

wat a magnifecent sight to sea it back at what sould be its home magic hope lyd visets agane soon ...

 

Why are you posting in Middle English?

 

Not everyone is blessed with a good ability in all subjects.He is probably very good enthusiastic and able at P'way work.

 

Whilom ther was dwelling in a narwe engine-shed a povre loco somdeel stap in age....

 

I believe in another thread Track-basher stated that's he's dyslexic or similar. so give him a break eh?

 

Agreed, now can we continue with the correct thread please.

 

Lyd has now returned safely to Wales, along with the two coaches. Coach 14/15 only left on Friday 8th - I suspect some of the L&B volunteers were hoping they might have forgotten about it!

The next thing to look forward to, I guess, is probably LYDs over-winter visit to the paint shop - then we can all argue about discuss the right shade of Southern Railway Green!

(Note to self: Must start saving for a visit to the WHR sometime next year...)

 

I saw Lyd working on the Festiniog Rly on Sunday; not trusted on her own as she was chaperoned by 'Blanche'! A fine sight leaving Penrhyn and heading out over the level crossing.

 

Total Rubbish :wink: - it was a special event and the double-headed train was an attraction, although admittedly the load was above that permitted for either engine on its own.

'Lyd' hauled its first service train on the FR on Friday and had no problems keeping to time without the assistance (or chaperoning) of another locomotive...

:tongue:

 

As a matter of interest, what is the maximum load for "Lyd" unassisted please?

Thanks in advance,

Paul H

 

I think 'Lyd' is initially being rated as an eight-carr loco on the FR and as a four-carr loco on the WHR...

 

As Roger says, the current rule book lists Lyd at eight and four, but it's already heaved nine up the FR on its own and there are plans to test it with 12, possibly resulting in a 10 rating for the FR and five on the WHR. We're learning all the time as we put more miles on the loco, not least in getting the maximum amount of energy out of the oil.

 

Really interesting to see how she is progressing, certainly looks good.

Thanks to all for the updates.

It sounds like she might be more than a Penrhyn lady in terms of load then, she must be very sure footed for a 2-6-2. Really good to see that the FR are stretching her legs until the limits are found. Most impressive.

Just wondering if she is ever planned to run on lumpy black stuff instead of liquid atall? Or if she was only designed as an oil burner??

Reagards,

Rich.

 

She is designed to be (relatively) easily converted from oil to coal and vice versa. However James Evans thinks that on coal she will require a good fireman and practically perfect fire to get the same performance as on oil. That said the Lyd team would like to run her on coal at some point in order to allow a better comparison to the originals.

Charlie

 

No doubt there will be a lot of comparison between Lyd's burner and a standard Laidlaw Drew one.

To convert to coal I think a master mechanics spark arestor was already was fitted in the smokebox at some time, but the firebox is actually quite difficult.

There is no panplate as such, but the rumour is that to remove the burner assembly and fit an ashpan might be a boiler out job.

The next problem for the WHR is that to empty the ashpan will require a pit, which is not available at Dinas at the moment ( one day we might get a nice new shed and facilities).

Then there is question of coal capacity, I presume an internal rear bunker would be fitted in addition to the side bunkers, but coaling using the tractor at Dinas would be fun! I think I read somewhere on the L & B the fireman used to re-fill his side bunker from the drivers side at Bratton Flemming ???

Anyway, Lyd ( like any proper engine) would be just so much better on coal, and if oil prices remain so much higher than coal I think the FR/WHR might become 100% coal one day, there are discussions about converting DLG at its next 10 year overhaul, and Blanche was nearly converted 3 years ago until a source of lower price oil fuel was found.

Regards

Peter

 

Like Peter says emptying the ash pan requires and ash pit or taking the boiler out so it would be difficult to run it on coal at the moment. No such facility exists at Dinas or Boston Lodge.

Converting a low mileage engine like Lyd or even fuel efficient locos like DLG and Blanche to coal would be a bit futile when gas guzzling 138 is running around burning the contents of the Gulf of Mexico in a round trip.

I would imagine Lyd final load rating will depend more on the mechanical wear of the valve gear and crossheads than what it can actually pull.

Tim