The Jacobite 2020

Had a great run behind it to Maillaig in think 2006. Then had 5 days of clear blue skies and circa 25c on the Isle of Skye. It can happen although even the locals commented it was rare! Happy days.

Probably last time the 8f ventured up there.

 

I was thinking more of the punishment an eight coupled loco would get from the curves on the Mallaig road

 

On board travel guidelines for WCR operated excursions, will these be updated inline with the new mandatory face coverings on public transport ?

https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/the-safe-way

 

It’s already been up there a few times at least by the looks of it, I for one would be keen to see it back.

 

Wrong engine for the line, I know Black 5s didn't work to Mallaig but they did work on the WHL.

 

More the gradients than the curves. I don’t think many of the engine crews would be happy with a Jub on Beasdale Bank with a wet rail and wet rails are fairly frequently encountered up there. I remember Alec McDonald telling me a Black 5 was a wee bit high in the wheel for the Mallaig road. The perfect engine is the K1

 

The K4 isn't bad either - but that's another story.

Peter

 

I left out the K4 as it never was a regular and sadly unlikely to be seen again. When my Euromillions comes up you can have a side window cab K2!!

 

This is a view that goes back through the ages. The ex LNER fireman that taught me most of what I know said this exact thing to me over 20 years ago. Black fives went, but the smaller wheeled machines were far preferable. A Jub would not be good on this line going by that.

The K1 is good, but let’s please all find agreement here. The K4 is the peak.

Then again, the V4 will be some sight!

 

Well I'm going to disagree with you there. The K4 is fine on a good day but they were notorious for being fickle machines back in the day and 61994 is no different in preservation. I've had plenty of good days with her but also some real rubbish ones. The K1 on the other hand - well I never recall having a bad day yet with her.

Then Im going to disagree with @Johnb about the K4 not being regular on the Jacobite. Over the years I've had a few weeks on it around the 2010/11 period. I was on it the day Mr Portillo travelled. I remember another day when we arrived back at the Fort and there was a new issue of Steam Days on sale at Bill's Place (the station book stall) featuring a colour feature of K4s on the Mallaig line taken some 55 years previously, when the line was only half as old as it was then in 2011. Who could have guessed in 1956 that a K4 would still be working to Mallaig in 2011.

That the end of me disagreeing with folk for today

Peter

 

Hey happy to take it so long as the original point about 5's not being the ideal machine stands....

Id be interested to hear your thoughts/experiences on what makes the K4 a little more sensitive/temperamental by the by

 

Ideal loco ? S160 - but none approved for NR.
Reckon the Crab might do the job and its got film star credentials...

 

Extra cylinder, less boiler pressure to play with, perhaps the draughting isn’t as good as a k1 boiler. It’s probably a combination of this and more and helps make it more susceptible to suffer with poor coal or not quite fired how it likes it.
The k1 is fairly forgiving but as Pete will probably agree, it still requires a bit more technique and thought than a Black 5 which will pretty much burn anything you throw in it.

The K1 definitely has the edge on 7 coaches no doubt about it, you’re at least a turn further out on the reverser by the top of the climbs on a 5. Take a coach off though and it makes such a difference, you can still be doing 30 by the top of the climbs on a Black 5 if you really want.

 

Just no.

 

Would be nice to try a Grange, be well suited. K1 is the machine for it, no doubt about it.

 

How about just keeping to locomotives that belong on the line. That means K1, B1 and Black 5, although I know the latter only worked south of Fort Bill

 

Very interesting post from someone who knows the score!