6100 Royal Scot

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

The whole issues behind this loco is very intriguing. As a recent newcomer to this forum, its amazing the amount you don't get from the magazines!

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

I think i should have meant 10 years, 7 mainline, then 3 preserved.

This page shows the date of the boiler test

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/tw/pages/bittrn17.htm

Remember reading after the initial test, great care was taken to get every last bit of water out of the boiler, so they could reset the ticket when the time came, nearer entry into service.

However Uksteam.info shows the expiry date as being 2015, so it would tie in with not extending the start date.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/locos.htm

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

I always thought that the release of funds by the HLF was staged according to progress achieved - and certified as achieved at that.

It seems to be being said here that the HLF are having the wool pulled over their eyes as to work completed, and that funds in excess of the value achieved have been released.

If that is so - then that is a very serious situation and one that should be receiving attention far outside the province of an internet forum.

Correct???

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

I think you will find that Bongo was refering to boiler life "back in the day" so to speak

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

Well, either they are being fed with false information, or they are not diligent enough to pay attention to what is going on. Probably a combination of the two. Or can they simply not be bothered? It may also be affected by expertise, or lack of. When you consider that Bressingham themselves have probably been taken for a big ride, and they know something about steam engines, then it's not surprising an organisation like HLF is left floundering. With such large sums of money passing through their hands, one would have thought they'd invest a bit more effort into ensuring value for money, and control over expenditure - like making sure the money is spent on the purpose for which it was provided. It should be mentioned that the big losers are Bressingham, because they have had a lot more exposure than the HLF, though it also has to be said that the HLF have been in a stronger position to take countermeasures. It makes one wonder how some of the even larger and more expensive grants are administered. Not quite on the scale of the banking anomolies we've seen recently, but no less scandalous.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

I've no intention of getting into an argument over this but that wouldn't surprise me one bit, even if the work on 6100 was top notch. In my experience of the steam movement there seems to be many cases of outfit A criticising the workmanship of outfit B and then outfit C saying the same about outfit A. A bit like changing dentists, no trouble with your teeth for years yet the new one reckons you need masses of work done because of poor workmanship by their predecessor.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

OK.... all very interesting stuff. I just wonder how Clan Line has been done in the same place to such a high standard? has there been a different crew in charge of 6100?

And my last question of all... and the one no one probably wants to hear - is 6100 going to make the WSR Spring Gala?

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

I think you will find Clan line was over hauled at Stewarts Lane by its owning group and not at Southall by the remenants of the Flying Scotsman team.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

He probably means Port Line...

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

Clan Line was overhauled at Southall, two overhauls ago. But by entirely different people. The last overhaul of 35028 was at Stewart Lane, and I'm absolutely sure that the MNLPS would not let anyone else near it. Least of all the Southall regime. They are a very tight group who maintain their own standards.

The work on 6100 at Southall was by what was left of the Scotsman setup. Not all the same people, but the same management and equipment. Read what has been said about 4472 since it was acquired by the NRM if you want any more insight.

Finally, I understand that the intention is for it to attend the WSR if at all possible. And there's no reason to think it won't make it.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

Port line has not been overhauled yet. Not since it left the care of Southern Locomotives.

The big question of course is whether it will be done at Southall now after what has happened with 6100.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

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Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

A tad over the top don't you think? 60009 has had its moments but to say it was failing all the time is a bit of an exaggeration.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

Was it ? As I understand the situation most of the failures were with the new equipment insisted on since privatisation in 1994 - e.g. air brakes / TPWS / OTMR - whilst the basic locomotive as built in 1935 has continued to give good service.

Almost likes the Class 50s which in DP2 guise was a superbly reliable locomotive but when fitted with back up systems revised electronics and re-design because Freddy Harrison didn't like the noses on his diesels - preferring the flat fronted designs of the ER fleet - became as predictable as a musician on speed.

Sorry - but in my experience John Cameron and 60009 have given honest faithful service which deserves to be acknowledged - not tarnished because of faulty equipment imposed by those who probably know as much about railways as I do about politics.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

Well said Fred ! Nice to be able to agree with you

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

While what you say is quite true Fred, a failure is a failure non the less and we really need to be getting to grips with such things to minimise problems on the network, the fact the OTMR won't play ball for example is little consolation to the class 1 passenger waiting in he section behind, not a dig at Cameron, 60009 or anyone but it's a compenant of the locomotive.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

I absolutely concur.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

A more current opinion though!, and deffinately one that Network Rail will take rather than the train-spotters commnents.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

Just compare the failure rate with other similar locomotives. For example there are three main line A4's in recent years All fitted with air brakes etc in one form or another. Plus there is a duchess with a somwhat simlar setup to one of those and clan line which has a different system, but still air braked, OTMR, TPWS. Ask which ones are failing more frequently and why, then you have a guide to the answer. If one of them is suffering air brake and OTMR failures significantly more than the others, then it would be natural to wonder about how those things were installed.

 

Re: 6100 Royal Scot test runs

In my experience, release of money by HLF is dependent on copies of invoices submitted allied to budget costs, along with a simple report of progress and is not trelated to any landmark points of progress. 10% is withheld until project completion and the final payment is dependent on whether the goals have been achieved. Thus, you can submit valid invoices even though there is no real progress up to that 90% mark without any problem as long as you don't tell porkies.