6023

Must be all that copper up top that's the problem?

 

The ECML wires never stay up long enough to be an issue

 

Update on 6023 website: http://www.6023.co.uk/news/news.htm

 

Will any tours be posted for 6023 after this event in Didcot?

 

I see she's been carefully balanced. Would you be prepared to share what all the actual weights per wheelset are? There've been some odd claims over the years about King weights...

 

Not just yet, there's still the TPWS/OTMR installation to complete, sorting out the GSMR radio and the support coach to get up to spec, but it's not too far away now.
Don't forget, we're weekend volunteers and not full time staff so these things take time.

 

My footage from the Sunday of Didcot's 'Once in a Blue Moon' event.

 

Not forgetting being dragged to/from Southall for weighing!

 

I wish you well. I've sampled the top-notch motive power ofthe other pre-grouping companies (A4, MN, Duchess) on the main line, but not a "King" yet, so am hoping to have the chance to make up this omission before too long.

 

The production County class double chimneys were very short. I wonder if this was to optimise the draughting? They could have fitted them with a taller casting, similar or the same as the double chimney Castles. However, they didn't and the loco had the distinctive appearance with the chimney noticably lower than the safety valves and cab roof. It makes me think that the height to the chimney top was thought to be of importance, although just how important, I have no idea.

The new lower, sleeved (I would assume), improved draughting single chimney fitted to the blue King 6023 doesn't appear to have softened the blast, from looking at videos of it in action on the Didcot running line. It will be very, very interesting to see how this loco performs, when it goes main line. I have a feeling that it could be the loudest loco on the main line by some margin.

 

Well, I hope we won't have to wait too long to find out if you're right!

 

I really hope that the king will finally get to stretch its legs some because 6023 has been one of the 2 locomotives proposed for the Worcester Christmas Fayre tour by rytc

 

Some positive news on Didcot's facebook page, if people haven't noticed already. The GWS have gained derogation approval from the RSSB to allow the use of it's transportable GSM-R unit, to allow it to be used accross there fleet of mainline certified engines.

As of 8:27 this morning it is not on there webpage yet, only Facebook (This is the one I normal look at, therefore it could be on twitter).

Congratulations to all involved, I can only imagine the work involved on this. I look forward to reading about it if it's in the next Echo Edition.

James

 

This is potentially the best news for mainline steam in a long time, not just for the GWS & 6023, so let me be one of the first to offer my thanks to the team at Didcot for this tremendous breakthrough and wish them ongoing success with 6023.
Andy

 

According to Didcot the next step for 6023 is to test the OTMR/TPWS which is due to take place around the end of August .

www.railannouncement.com

 

Apparently, this is not just good news for 6023 but also for 4079 waiting in the wings.

 

Lots of GWR work for 6023 from at least one tour operator! 2015 could be a classic year.......!!

 

and hopefully 4079 will return to steam next year and run on the mainline out of KingsCross. It will be 90 years after the GWR lent her to the LNER as part of trials against the LNER's then new A1 Pacific Class.

 

So are there tours that have been announced that the King shall be available for before Worcester?

 

According to the latest Great Western Echo the GWS Mainline Report " we are looking to have the King operate in 2015". They need to complete the TPWS, AWS and OTMR, carry out redesign and manufacture of modified blast pipe to compensate for the shorter chimney , weigh and gauge the loco before test runs.