Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Is it a big chuffer when the loco weighs more than the train it is hauling?

https://www.alamy.com/ivatt-class-2...le-of-wight-steam-railway-image376938668.html

Tom

 

The Ivatts are used on the 4 wheel set rather than an Austerity as they don't cause the lightweight carriages to skid as much when braking.

The IWSR, as great as it is, still has the same laws of loco supply as everyone else; at present there is only one terrier running and it has no steam heat, hence using the Ivatts every so often.

 

I don't disagree - it is just that a particular person seems to completely ignore the fact that other railways may have their own specific operational and loco supply reasons for their choice of motive power, while giving a pass to the IoWSR when they use a locomotive that is heavier than the train being hauled! One is wanton profligacy and gricerish attachment to big chuffers; one is a perfectly valid operational requirement! A little consistency would be appreciated ...

Tom

 

You mean like this?

 

Just what they are

 

Was generously donated to IOWSR Restored by ESR where usually it is to be found

 

Naughty MM! Perhaps a better example would've been the 'standard' 2-6-0, whose 'Southern' allocations came with a tender of higher axle load than the loco!!

 

An interesting thought. The classic GWR combination of 14XX plus auto-trailer is also in that category, as would be an M7 with a couple of Pre-Group coaches on a Southern branch service.

We also have examples of "small chufferitis", such as the 60-ton 45XX tanks required to haul trains of seven Mark 1s over the hilly routes of the SVR and WSR. As you say in your later posts, heritage railways often have to roster whatever is available rather than what might be argued as "right-sized" for the job.

 

As indeed did shedmasters sometimes in the days of steam, especially on summer saturdays.

 

I have heard of the Austerities supposed roughness with the coaches on the IoWSR before, and with the arrival of the Ivatt pair, I can't help but wonder if there is really a need or place for them or indeed industrial engines in general there anymore. It made sense in the past for like so many other heritage railways in the early days, when in need of additional steam motive power to cover the few and non operable more prototypical locos they had at the time, industrial engines were in abundance and ready to be used from the get go more or less.

Thing is that was then, and things have changed on many heritage railways, leading them to no longer be reliant on industrial locos. And what with the arrival of the more suitable Ivatts plus the inevitable return of the E1 to steam, it seems to be that time has come for the IoWSR too.

Certainly seeing as the IoWSR has always striven to recreate the island railways back in their heydays as close as possible, and indeed has that as a core goal in their aims for everything they do there, I would assume that is their intention anyway. Pretty sure it's a clear intent stated in their long term plans too from what I recall when reading it before.

That said I imagine the exception to this policy may well be 'Invincible', seeing how well liked as well as integral it was to the railway in it's early years.

In fact I believe such is it's special place it has in the railway's history, it is being given practically as much priority and attention as Calbourne right now, with the clear intent for it to be ready to celebrate the IoWSR it's 50th anniversary this year. Quite the honor that I would say.

 

@JMJR1000 just a
couple of points as a reply (please bear in mind I'm no official spokesman, this is just my opinion).

The Army locos are very useful, being powerful and simple; and at times Royal Engineer kept the place going when Calbourne was not available. They were donated by the army museums to the railway some time ago and I think it would be very 'bad faith' to suggest that they be disposed of in some way because 'something better has come along'. Sometimes pressings industrial locos into passenger use makes them struggle a bit, but these are easily able to fulfill our operating needs.

Secondly the railway needs them because we need two large locos in service all year round and ideally a spare, with only the Ivatts, O2 and E1, you would need two/three of four serviceable, and that needs a fast turn round for overhauls, and a lot of miles run when in service.

Thirdly, they aren't "industrials" as if that is some kind of second class citizen, they are former army locos, and you would be surprised how many blokes come up to you saying they were in the forces and asking all about them. They generate interest all of their own.

Invincible is an odd one, but is something of a pet as it also kept things going in former years. Ajax is out of service but fulfils a useful role in Train Story where people can get up close to a loco.

Just my thoughts!

 

Any idea why the Austerities make the 4 wheelers skid whole braking?

 

Well consider me well put in my place! I'm not one to just walk away and not say a word further when I come to see I was rash and wrong with my initial thoughts on something. If somebody puts forward a good enough reasoning to make me think differently, then I'll happily put my hands up and say I wrong.

I never thought to consider the history of the Austerities in relation to the army, and you would be right in the fact that yes that is something worth of interest and care in it's own right. Also can't deny that while of course most industrial engines I've seen look well enough maintained, the condition in which the the pair are maintained is nothing short of immaculate! Never seen an Austerity looking so clean and smart. Can't deny too your point that they are simple, reliable and capable machines, even if they don't get on too well with the 4 wheel carriages.

I see your point too that to a certain extent you need an excess number of locomotives on standby to take on the work all year round, so in that respect I can understand their importance there.

Certainly I want it to be clear I have no desire to be perceived as someone that views industrial locos as 'second class citizen', certainly don't share that view at all, I only said what I did as just an observation of heritage railways in general have done historically when it comes to such locomotives. Certainly I've never liked that mentality myself, always had a soft spot for some industrial engines, much like I do with smaller older locos like the Terriers. My earliest memory of a seeing a full sized steam loco for the first time was a blue Peckett named 'Lion' based at the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, always liked the look of that loco, handsome and well proportioned.

I for one then am more then happy to see the Austerities right at home on the Isle of Wight, long may it continue as such.

Pity Ajax has fallen a bit out of favor but as you say at least it's fulfilling a role there.

 

They do not have a proportional brake application on the Loco. Consequently the coaches are providing all of the braking. It is quite rare for either of the Austerities to be used with the 4-wheelers, the preferred options are 02, Terriers or Ivatts all of which have a proportional brake application on the Loco.

 

Please don't think I was telling you off! Hopefully see you there one day

 

Is that on the to-do list?
Pat

 

Oh no I didn't think that, was just saying it in a joking manner us all. Must remind myself typing something doesn't always convey how I actually mean it.

And most certainly would love to visit there someday, for sure!

 

Keeping the subject on the 50th anniversary, I see Heritage Railway Magazine is doing a 2 part article on the IoWSR, looking forward to reading that. Certainly the second part as that will be going on depth to the railway's current events as well as future plans, something I'm always interested to read about.

There's much talk too of a visitor for the anniversary celebrations too, though personally I would have thought it's a no brainer...

What loco has recently returned to steam, is an ex Isle of Wight resident and actually has the air brakes necessary to pull trains on the IoWSR? Can only think of one certain Terrier in Kent...

 

I really couldn’t say, I would imagine that it is of a fairly low priority.

I have been fully retired for nearly two years, due to the pandemic and not enjoying the best of health I have only visited once in the last year so I am a little out of touch. I can however see and hear trains approaching Wootton from on my decking

 

A common problem with online communication; it's missing the non-verbal cues of in-person communication (tone, facial expression, etc). Hence the invention of text smilies, and later emoticons. One thing that puzzled me is how this problem seemingly wasn't so big back in the days of written letters? I can only think that people were more careful in their writing, actively considering how their words might be mis-read, and adjusting their text to prevent that (something I have come to in my online communication).

Apologies all for the off-topic, but the comment was near to my heart!

Noel