45699 Galatea

Re-built Merchant Navy has a counterbalance on each driving wheel, whereas a Re-built BOB or WC only has one on the center driver!

 

Glad to see another thread about one of those "northern" locos has ended up discussing Bulleid's wonderful pacifics...
I know Galatea was an increadible rebuild, with many parts missing, and she has put up a few impressive performances, but she hasn't been reliable yet. Let's hope they can sort her out properly this time.

 

Sorry to remain off-topic, but does anyone have comparison side-on photos showing the difference between rebuilt MNs and Light Pacifics?
I saw 35005 cross 34016 at Ropley a few years ago, but didn't get much time to compare as I had a train to catch.

 

ON a different note, I hope that the repairs to 45699 don't take too long. I say that because, when 35018 is finished, certified and run in, no doubt it will be headng for Southall and I'd rather like to see it take 45699 with it. I don't think there has been a Jubilee down south since Leander visited the Bluebell some years ago.

 

45699 came south when fresh out for a private train round east anglia. It also went to the Mid Norfolk. Admittedly not south of London but still the south

 

We could debate what constitutes "the south" on the Forum and probably end up getting as heated as we do on such topics as locomotive liveries or which was the best of the "Big Four". I was at university with a student from the North East who regarded anyone who lived south of the River Wear as a southerner! I guess that for me, "The South" equals that part of the world where, from 1948 to 1967, most of the steam locos you would see in action had a five digit number beginning with a "3". OK. I'm pretty extreme here as it relegates everywhere from London through to the proverbial boundary at the Watford Gap services to, er, well, I'm not sure exactly what. South Midlands perhaps? Still, you have a point - the MNR visit and the one-off charter did take Galatea somewhat further south than usual. Hopefully this won't be a complete one-off, especially given her visit to Eastleigh in the 1960s.

 

I'm with you on your definition of where the South begins and ends, John!

I went to University (in a City that, with its strong traditions of motor manufacturing and marmalade production that I guess you would have to say was in the industrial South Midlands) with a friend who had been brought up in Weymouth. He always considered that flat caps and whippets started around Dorchester, which I think was a bit extreme: having been raised in Berkshire, I knew such things didn't really start until you went north of the Thames

We digress...

Tom

 

I feel as though we have to commend Carnforth for getting Galatea to this point. The loco has been putting in some fantastic performances and shall continue to do so once these snags are worked out.

 

A friend heard a rumour while on a recent charter that both 5690 and 5699 would be put up for sale - anyone got deep pockets

5699 of course is owned by a charity which would complicate matters.

Dave

 

I believe that Mr Hosking has!

 

5690 heading south on GB next month

 

No. The name says it all. Black 5's are black. Jubilees aren't.

 

The NYMR could do with some extra Class 6 power, let's hope that is they are offered our nice benefactor might fancy one!

 

except the jubilees that were painted black.

And the black fives that were green.

 

Drifting just a little, I remember from childhood the northbound Devonian in summer coming into Derby double-headed by a Black 5 and a Jubilee and I think that early on, there may have been occasions when a compound was the pilot. I never saw twin Jubilees. I invite corrections here, but my understanding at the time was that the pair ran through from Bristol and took the Lickey without assistance. The usual load was 13 in summer. and the route Paignton to Bradford, continuing the Midland tradition of through services to the woollen capital. Nowadays of course Bradford is little more than a branch from Leeds.

 

For the record, enginemen referred to them as 'Black 'uns' and either 5Xs or 'Red 'uns' - and that was in 1968!

Referring to John Stewart, I doubt that the pair would be allowed to take 13 bogies up the Lickey without a banker - the Rules didn't allow it. I think everything over two(?) coaches had to be banked, irrespective of the head end power. This was a slight embarassment when the Midland Pullman went up the Lickey...

 

13 on has been done in preservation without too much fuss and no banker.
During the signallers strike the Great Britain III was diverted up the Lickey Incline which is when this occurred the locos concerned were 70013 and 44871, they made a fine sight and sound.
Anyone doubting this can see this on a PSOV video.

Cheers Dave

 

The most visible difference is that Jubilees have splashers.

 

M'yes, but didn't some Caprotti Black 5s also have splashers,?