Tornado

Probably because that's beyond the ken of many forum members, unlike paint and lights?

As for the coupling lights, Bulleid fitted them the the MN and WC's 70 years ago. And the Class 66 sander nozzles - it would be negligent not to fit an improved design so long as it doesn't significantly alter the look of the loco IMHO.

 

If the stays are tubes, does this not allow hot gases to flow out into the boiler lagging and under the cladding?

 

Hear hear. Given that Tornado has a full schedule which includes work over much of the South East and South West in the upcoming months, anything which makes the job easier and safer whilst operating over the third rail lines can only be applauded. There's so much that can be done to make crews lives easier, and to be honest it always surprises me when things such as the above aren't mandatory.

Perhaps that's part and parcel of growing up in the "elf n safety" generation!

 

I presume thick wall tubing?

 

Or because we don't get Steam Railway!

It's the usual practice to plug the outer end for this reason.

 

Re that last issue 4 page "Steam Railway" article, a triumph of PR over substance was my reaction. Talking nonsense about oil-firing and seemingly unaware that in Germany the 012 Pacifics in the west and 01.05 ones in the east were so fitted amongst other classes. I just get the feeling that the A1SLT is floundering. That said, I hope for their sake they have identified and resolved the causes of these problems. However, if the same sort of problems happen again not long after re-entry into service it is going to be egg on the face big time.

 

I'd forgotten about the coupling up lights fitted by Bulleid. I do think the railway sector - heritage or otherwise - suffers very much from "not invented here" syndrome and any sensible advance is frowned upon in some quarters just because it's a new idea or imported from elsewhere.

 

And i take it you would be delighted, get a life man!!!!!

 

In the real world you don't need lights to help you throw a shackle on and connect up a bag or two. Anyone that did would be better using a Petzl anyway. Far cheaper than putting some array of boy racer lights on the engine. Modern diesel engines don't even have that on, why would a loco that comes out 50 times a year need it?

 

May I suggest that modern diesels should have it? It seems logical to provide decent lighting for the coupling up of trains to locomotives. Or is that too sensible?

 

I can't for the life of me see what the argument is for not doing this?

 

Cos its pointless.

 

Keep trying to justify your comment. I don't think you've convinced anyone who has any sense, yet. Nor me! I've been coupling up for nigh on 50 years and I'd turn the lights on, if I could.

 

If you need a light put a Petzl on, dead simple. Rather than waste time fitting and arsing about with little lights that will likely be messed up anyway. I too, have been tieing on and off stock for quite some time and really don't see the point. Most good shunters are more than capable of doing with their eyes closed.

 

That is if they have the ability to tell where the hook is, how far extended the couple is, where the bags are etc. without seeing them! Can't say I have seen many people even try to couple in the dark. True, you get a general idea where the "bits are" (I'd hate to have to be able to see the pin on a buckeye whilst supporting it!) but precisely where things are will always vary slightly depending the curvatuture, individual vehicles etc. I have never before come across coupling in the dark being seen as a sign of how "butch" a locoman or shunter is!

 

Mutch - or Butch???

 

All this talk of coupling in the dark..............................