Paignton and Dartmouth Railway

Stu, your Mrs was indeed correct, 7827 was steamed up to churston friday afternoon, for a more in depth examination into one of the rear axle boxes, which may need re-metalling. Also the plan is to weigh all the axle weights, as we think she may be heavy on the bogie, thus reducing the weight on the driving wheel's which makes her so prone to slipping. 4277 has it's boiler exam on wednesday then will be boxed up and have some runing trials for the new valve heads and re-built ash-pan before the season start's on april 1st.

I believe 5239 is out on Sunday 8th March for a private charter.

 

Thanks for the info. Very interesting.
Now you mention it, 7827 did seem to slip a lot more last season than I remember from before. Of course, it coluld be our warm, wetter summers, but she seemed to like slipping on a regular basis just coming off Broadsands viaduct. Mind you. that bit of PW seems to catch out Tangmere (as does most of the bank!) and 6024 sometimes too.

 

With Tornado now confirmed for the july dates for the Torbay Express , can i assume that all of the PDSR steam drivers would like to be the first to drive her up goodrington bank .

Regards Robin

 

I'm sure they all would, but it would be a bit cramped on the footplate! Will be interesting to see how light (or not) footed she is. Similar to 4472 perhaps? One thing is sure, she is well balanced being new (referring to Roosteroy's post about 7827's possible imbalance)

 

Class 25 on standby presumably, she's not Swindon built remember *runs for cover*

 

Isn't the 25 now on standby for every TE visit?

Here is one of FC's videos showing how the start of Goddrington should be tackled. Fast as poss over the 'kink', then sanders on and open her up!
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v16852801wQ63q39h

 

Actually Stu I filmed that,Shirley was further down the line.

When or is the loop at Goodrington going to be in use for a straight run up the bank?

Dont tell FC that the Rat was on stand-by for the King up Goodrington Bank, it might not be well recieved........ 8-[ [-X

 

No, it would have been a grave insult!!!!, as your video shows, its no problem when done right.
As for the loop, not sure. I think its just the signalling that needs to be finished. Track has been in place for a while now. When it is done however, it should make it possible to take a good run at the bank, beginning by Goodrington CS, well before the halt.

 

I'm sure that Tornado will give us some of those performances we know and love (from what I remember) of 4472 if driven correctly and if she's in top form and maybe has sand!!!
Don't worry running for cover now!!!
As for the rat coming out to play it depends who is there as I've heard there are only two drivers who can drive it which is why 5239 had to rescue Tangmere last time she got stuck.

 

So what happens if a P&D loco fails and a non 25 driver is rostered ?, an 08 would take some time to cover 7 miles.

 

That's a very good question, I might add that was in the summer so maybe things have changed now and they have more. or maybe they are confident that their locos are unlikely to fail who knows but thats what I was told.

 

Maybe this is why they can't take usup on the idea of an everything goes weekend as not enough drivers to drive all three??

Out of curiosity do you need different qualifications to drive the 25 and 08/04 or are they the same??

 

Stu, we currently have the rear set of driver's out for attention to axle-boxes, so when she is put back together the axles will be weighed and springs adjusted accordingly. She does sit front heavy which takes weight of the driving wheels which we believe is the main problem.

 

Hi, I am new to this forum. I live away in suffolk but visit the PDSR 3/4 times a year. I wonder if you could let me know about 4555 & 4588 are they unlikely to run on the line again? I appreciate that 4588 needs overhaul and possibly for sale is that correct?

 

Yes 4588 is up for sale and is stored at the back of Churston shed.
4555 is stored in Queens Park shed and is awaiting a full overhaul which will not be for a good few years. 75014 will be the next one back in steam

 

Thanks for this. Good forum as I live away i can catch up with all the news! when do you expect 75014 to be back in steam. Hope to see the progress at Goodrington when I am down at Easter

 

75014 expected back in steam i believe 2015, to replace 7827 Lydham manor. Having had a replacement firebox and majour noiler work, should be very fast turn around for the Manor before she'd be back in service. I believe 5239 is 2016.

 

Surely its before that when 5239's ticket runs out as she was in service at least two years before the Manor so surely her ticket runs out before 2015. 75014 will be to replace 5239 then?? May be wrong but the Manor has been in service since 2005?

 

So wot do you engine will be starting in april 5239?

 

either 5239 or 4277, i believe 5239 has 14 month boiler exam fairly early on this year, so most services will probably be dealt with by the 42.