CathEx Paddington-Cardiff 28th July

No more upset than not be able to travel behind a western because you think you take priority.

 

I believe Bulleid Pacifics are steam braked on the loco with an equalising valve to avoid excessive brake force, could it be a fault here which allows a disproportionate force on the engine brake? Unless it's been altered to air I think the tender is vacuum braked just to complicate the issue.

 

What's so special about a western? It's a diesel, another tin box just a different shape of tin box

 

If the figure you give is correct then the wheels cannot be machined. Braunton would have a wheel diameter in the region of 1,880 mm, sadly out of limit for machining on the SPM wheel lathe.

The tour today could well be an expensive outing for 34052 (34046). <BJ>

 

No it has not.

 

None of the videos I have looked at provide any evidence of wheelflats ? Are they on the driving wheels or the tender wheels ? A common cause of wheelflats on tender wheels is the failure to release the tender handbrake. But sometimes wheelflats may only be heard on curves, depending on where the flat is across the tyre. Incidentally, there are wheelflat detectors at several locations on the GWML. Severe wheelflats can cause high hammerblow and may be a cause for NR stopping a train. They are normally used for detecting faults on wagons in freight trains.

 

The centre drivers were the subject of much examination in the platform at Gloucester. There was platform-end gossip that the braking incident, whatever it was, occurred on the descent of Sapperton.

 

Awww so sweet that you thought of me!

If you believe that the current state of steam tours is totally acceptable then so be it. The definition of madness is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
One of the major problems this year is the scarcity of mainline locos. So, have the tour companies over reached themselves with too many planned tours and too few locos? Look at the cancellations. Braunton is still effectively running in. Galatea had a baptism of fire but now is a stalwart. 41600 is having similar issues as it is quite new out of the box.

Today was run by WCRC who have a policy, it seems, of having a 47 on the back most of the time. Welsh Mountaineer was a brilliant exception. In contrast, DBC seem to prefer a diesel shadowing. That works really well as it gives pure steam but adds insurance just in case. THAT is a new policy and is a different approach. There are lots of potential different approaches to the open minds. What is the risk? It can't be worse than the current situation, albeit an odd one with so few locos.

 

Still waiting for it to come light engine from Gloucester. anyone know if it's still coming?

 

The identical wheel lathe at Ilford has been modified to take wheels as big as the Stirling Single!

Which is why Ilford has tyre turned many steam locos over the past few years since 80078 went there in 2008. (Yes, 80xxx have 5'8" drivers)

 

Looking at a video of 34052 sitting at Gloucester on YT there seemed to be rather a lot of activity on the footplate accompanied by some worried faces from LSL staff . Perhaps there are/were other problems with 34052? Hopefully LSL will update their website with details soon. I hope the problems are not too serious.

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The chaps at Ilford turned 34046's wheels last time this happened in 2014, after the steam brake on the Loco stuck on.

It's sad that the new tyres fitted at her restoration are suffering a little, but she must be getting ever more gauge friendly

 

Icons Facebook states issues with the braking systems. Updates will follow. One to watch.

 

I guess that explains the activity on the footplate at Gloucester.

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With the chaos happening at Cardiff, even if Braunton hadn't failed would it have been able to stay on the re-routed train? Is steam allowed through the Severn tunnel these days?

 

Anybody at Stewart's Lane got a match?

 

Cracking shot James! Thanks for sharing.

 

Go home.

''This service was cancelled throughout due to a problem with a steam locomotive (ME)''.

 

Trains were stopped and cancelled at Gloucester because of the unfortunate incident at Cardiff.

The diesel hauled charter train departed from Gloucester at 14:25 running via Standish Jct and the Severn tunnel. This was probably to clear the backlog of trains. Also at 14:25 the Nottingham to Cardiff service departed from Gloucester but ran via the normal route (via Lydney).

After witnessing the magnificent sight of 34052 blasting up the incline to Sapperton tunnel with load 10 and a class 47 in tow I thought it very sad that the loco suffered a problem so soon after. It must have been such a huge disappointment for the passengers, loco crews and owners. <BJ>