6023

I went down to travel behind the King today having not had chance to see it before. The train was 11 coaches and the class 25 which didn’t do anything other than provide some initial help in getting away from Goodrington and Greenway. The King didn’t appear to have much trouble with the load and was able to accelerate up to line speed in both directions. The loco was clearly being worked hard but not thrashed with the climb from Dartmouth being more entertaining as the train was already moving and allowed the crew to really open her up rather than attacking the climb from a standing start at Goodrington.

It would be interesting to know what was being assessed, whether it was simply steam making ability or it’s performance at various settings.

In terms of noise, and from a layman’s perspective, it doesn’t seem to bark anymore, so whilst it was noisy, I think 7827 beats it!

 

The new exhaust seems to be working!
Kind regards
Jos Koopmans

 

The raison d'être of the new exhaust is to provide effective draughting with the reduced-height chimney, and the raison d'être of the reduced-height chimney is to permit main-line running. Where does this leave us if other considerations prevent main-line running?

 

With a locomotive that steams...

 

What about the observation of GWS that the present King is far more economical with coal then they were used to?
Kind regards
Jos

 

Less of what is sometimes called "carry over". Another aspect of exhaust system design. If the observation is correct then it is further evidence that the system is functioning well. People ought to be pleased but those who equate decibels with power output will be distraught.

 

I think we should congratulate Jos Koopmans on the success of his blastpipe arrangement. This is a tremendous development. 6023 now steams extremely well and uses less coal. It makes you wonder how much other locos could be improved by fitting a similar blastpipe. The steaming of single chimney Castles is OK, but if say 5029, when it returns to the main line, was experimentally fitted with the four nozzle blastpipe, I can't help but wonder how much its main line performance could be enhanced?

 

No quarrel with that but if there is really no prospect of main line running then why not restore the original chimney height (and tweak the blastpipe nozzles as appropriate)?

 

I imagine if she's running properly the majority of the team might wish to direct their attention elsewhere. Plenty of other projects needing time, money and competent volunteers...

 

Clearly the new system works and works very well and has had the added advantage that the engine operates more economically than previously was the case with the Kings, obviously with so little time now on its boiler certificate I will imagine that a full retube will have to be done prior to any main line launch , so what routes still remain king friendly? for instance Didcot to Birmingham and a couple of tours with VT ?

 

Ryde-Ventnor

 

Well, it will be after the first run!

 

Shooosh, you don't want to wake up , he who's name we dare not mention, Seriously though are there any NR routes where 6023 actually fits?

 

I understand and agree with what you are saying. Although the eye gets used to the short chimney and safety valve cover, maybe in the next boiler ticket period, if main line running proves impossible, the original chimney and safety valve cover could be reinstated? If there remains a possibility of main line running, it makes sense to keep the lower fittings in place.

 

I enjoyed seeing 6023 on the DSR last week. Unfortunately I missed the special runs at the weekend owing to being at the WSR on Saturday and L&BR on Sunday. But it was great to see her working hard and getting the chance to stretch her legs a bit more than at Didcot. A really lovely engine - would be amazing to see it on the mainline sometime!
6023 still seemed to make plenty of noise to my ears - I was in the first coach up to Churston and it was difficult to carry on a regular conversation with my uncle! Still a lovely noise though
Here's my video from last week:

 

Working was 50% cut off 7/8 regulator,steam on valves continuously.Interestingly 15 mph was the standard speed at Britannia halt. Buffer beam width is an issue for main line running.

 

6023 may as well work out the rest of this boiler certificate as it is. During the overhaul, there needs to be a decision whether to go for main line running or not; then either whatever additional modifications are needed (such as trimming the buffer beam) should be made or the original chimney and safety valve bonnet should be restored.

 

I would imagine a reprofiled front buffer beam (slightly shorter) or a jiggle somewhere to reduce overall width of the running plate are not unsurmountable and as Didcot is rail locked might will be needed anyway ? I understand 6024 has had modifications to reduce its width also

 

Safety Bonnet, fine. Original chimney casting - exterior at least, perhaps not likely to be a problem but don't know how well that will interface with the current arrangement and it would be a shame to abandon that.

 

According to post #1294 on page 65 of this thread, it should work a little better with the full height chimney.