West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Correct, no prize unless you manage to catch me in "The Bird" one evening!!

 

Here's a question - Are there any firm plans for 4110's restoration at present? Is it intended to restore it as 4110 or to build 9352?

 

I seem to remember that the intention is to restore it as 4110.
Ray

 

This is correct. My understanding is that work will commence on the restoration of 4110 once 9351 and 53088 are back in operation, but presumably there will be funding restraints which will play a part, as well as the obvious one of workshop capacity.

 

Aggggh - yuk not another Mongrel

Also surely a pony truck guiding the wheels int0 curves when running backwards is better for track and wheel profiles than the rear driving wheel flange grinding into the outer rail on a curve pushing a heavy tender going backwards.

Brian

 

Were the reasons for 9351's creation the increased fuel capacity? I guess that the need for less stops was felt to outweigh the disadvantages of tender first running (unless it was planned to operate with the turntable and triangle).

Personally I like it but can understand the controversy.

 

I think water capacity was a consideration. Although a large prairie can just about do a return trip without watering, crews prefer to to top up at each end because no-one knows if there will be delays which could lead to the water getting low. Also, 5193 had a very rotten rear end (!) so it made more sense to chop it off and replace with a tender!

 

.......... so now it has a tender behind.

(Sorry 'bout that).

 

Is it intended to restore it as 4110 or to build 9352?
I seem to remember that the intention is to restore it as 4110.


What a pity as the Fireman's job is a lot easier on a tender loco than on a GWR side-tank loco and the visibility with a low tender is much better .
Also if we had 9352 then Minehead Mogul would have been a Class not a one off.

 

Shame there is no dislike button on here

 

It's a bit odd how people can get behind a totally new build like Tornado but the not like the Mogul. There is enough documentation to indicate the GWR thought seriously about building it. All the WSR have done is made it a reality.
And yes it is much easier to work on the Mogul footplate than on a Large Prairie and yes you are spared that bum clenching moment when you start to hope you have enough water.

As to 4110 my understanding is also that it will be 4110 after restoration.

 

Is this the beginning of another tender behind joke?

 

I can't imaging what the purists would say if we put a tender behind a Prairie to provide extra water!

 

Not strictly WSR but I'll share it here if I may.

A hopeful dad brought his young lad up to the footplate yesterday morning. It was the lads birthday and he was having a day out on the railway as part of his present. (They even announced it over the station tannoy!!!) We had plenty of time before "right away" so I invited them up. (why does my driver always disappear when we do this?)

Anyway the lad asks me "Where is the machine for putting the coal into the fire?" So I duly demonstrated "the machine" and put a bit more coal in the back. Which was fine until his dad asked if the "machine" needed oiling!!!

 

Well, I've been in the Engine Room on Waverley & some railway enthusiasts asked me why it didn't go chuff chuff................

 

I have not seen this published yet but it may be of interest.

 

Basically, the same as at present, a few tweaks by 5 minutes here and there, except in the red timetable where the 1235 BL - MD is brought forward to 1155, and the afternoon trains run about 20 minutes earlier. People tend to want to go home earlier in the quieter times of the year!

 

Including the staff!!!

 

Some of the red timetable run-round times look tight. - Keeps it interesting I suppose.

 

Be warned!! My 13 year old son will be analysing it to the Nth degree..........