70013 'unavailable'?

Anyone any news on why 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' has been withdrawn from its next two tours? 6024 is now covering the 'Devonian' on Saturday and I think 'Tangmere' is now covering its next tour to Wales.

Nothing on the 5305la website, and I don't think I've seen anything on these pages -or the 'What's going on' pages - either.

Just curious and wondering if there's a recurrence of the firebox problems from last year.

Thanks

 

5305 LA site news item on 28052011 says she was being prepared for a boiler washout and some other work so may be simply maintenance that needs to be done before next out on the mainline DH

 

Both changes were notified a few weeks back, which suggests maintenance rather than sudden problems. 70000 should have worked The Devonian this Saturday, but as reported elsewhere, ran a hot bearing during her light-engine move last weekend, hence the late substitution by 6024.

According to UKSteam.info, her next tours are 18th June Paddington - WSR (possibly) and 2nd July Liverpool Street - Norwich.

 

5305la are making sure that 70013 is tip top condition for her 60th anniversary run to Norwich on 2nd July.

 

Hi everyone

Thanks for your replies and great to hear that it's just routine maintenance, rather then anything more sinister.

 

On another site it refers to 70013 having "bent rods"? Can anybody throw any light on this?

 

Also read this, also says "due to water carry over" (not my opinion, only what I read). However according to uksteam it hasn't ran since the 2nd of July.

 

70013 was declared unavailable after the 2nd of July run when she was said to have suffered valve problems.

 

According to the G.C.R. e-mail newsletter dated 20/07/2011, 70013 has "the Valve Pistons and Rods out to replace the rings, and at the same time are doing an upgrade to install mechanical lubrication to this area, which apparently uniquely to the class it never had."

Anyone wanting to get the G.C.R. weekly e-mail newsletter just send a blank e-mail to:

GCR-Announcesubscribe@yahoogroups.com

And follow the instructions in the e-mail that comes back to you. Back numbers are available.

Hope this helps, Regards, oddsocks.

 

Some more detail from a GCR newsletter regarding 70013, hopefully no one will mind me posting it up here:

"The work being done by remote control on Cromwell at Southall included a piston and valve
exam, the latter part of which was necessitated by the finding of bits of valve ring in the
drains. It also revealed a mildly bent piston rod, which you would have thought would have
affected its performance on the recent 'Norfolkman', but by all reports somehow seems to
have enhanced it.

Anyway, the rod has been straightened, and skimmed at Loughborough,
and by the time you read this all should be together again. The cause? Well, it could have
been a throw back to the bitter winter weather and a bit of accumulated ice, or
alternatively water carried over from priming due to the difficulties in water treatment
away from our controlled environment."

Chris

 

repair work by "remote control" from Loughborough to Southall..

I wondered what Nasa was going to do with that redundant space technology.

 

Hi everyone does any one knows if 70013 is going light engine+coach on Thursday to Crewe HC please?

 

What about tomorrows Cathedrals Express?

 

My question answered on 5305la website.

 

Info here,

http://www.5305la.org.uk/news.aspx?ID=319

I am hoping to see 70013 tomorrow.

Neil.

 

5305LA web site says Ollie will work the SSE next week after all. See http://www.5305la.org.uk/news.aspx?ID=320

 

Just to confirm, here are the two updates from the 5305la website:

Firstly (posted Wednesday 24th):

"The NRM's Britannia, No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell has been withdrawn from the Scarborough Spa Express programme on the 30th August-1st September. The loco requires a new brick arch because the current one is deteriorating quickly and it also needs a boiler washout. Cromwell will work its booked charters on the 25th August (Steam Dreams) and the 27th August (RTC). Following these jobs, both maintenance matters will be carried out in the week beginning the 29th August prior to 70013 moving to London for The Spitfire and Dorset Coast Express bookings"

And then a second update posted today (Thursday 25th):

"Due to the current shortage of steam locomotives, the 5305 Locomotive Association are bending over backwards to make 70013 Oliver Cromwell available for the last week of the Scarborough Spa Express programme. They are rescheduling the work to put a new brick arch in Cromwell as well as wash out the boiler over the coming weekend. This work will be done by volunteers who are giving up their time at short notice".

Hope this helps!


70013 will move from Crewe to York on the afternoon of Monday 29th August. It will then work the 30th and 31st August as well as the 1st September Scarborough Spa Express.