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45699 Galatea

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by TonyMay, Apr 3, 2010.

  1. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Hi.
    I took NIH to mean Not Invented Here.
     
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  2. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

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    Which is why I said "I presume" as I wasn't quite sure of the ownership of the Giesl rights. I saw NIH as some maybe sort of Austrian Mega corporation hanging on to outdated technology for a Kings ransom. Anyway, I think that it's high time that we sorted out the acronym list, SWMBO would order me to comply!!

    Cheers

    Alan
     
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  3. LMS2968

    LMS2968 Part of the furniture

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    Thanks Jos. The bit I'm struggling with is that the 3A and 3B boilers have the same boiler dimensions (near enough) although the 3A firebox is about nine inches longer. I appreciate that this would modify the tube/grate area ratio, but not those o0f the flues' and tubes' A/S ratios. The Black Fives were always, under normal conditions, good steamers but the 5X very variable, hence my confusion. I'm inclined to agree that the problem lies ultimately in the chimney and blastpipe arrangements rather than the tubes, flues and elements.
     
  4. JJG Koopmans

    JJG Koopmans Member

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    If I understand Powells reporting correctly, the improved single chimney outperformed the original one while the double
    outperformed the improved single again. Quite logically btw, the length diameter ratio of these chimneys was improved in this process. However, if the A/S ratio of the flues is not superior over that of the tubes, any draughting improvement will cost you
    superheat temperature, that is the catch-22 here. Right now my best guess is that this is the cause of the small amount of
    Jubilees that got another front-end.
    NIH, not-invented-here, Giesl used a plate valve in the smokebox that could cover part of the tubes. When applied the
    ratio of free space through the flues compared to the total rose significantly and more combustion gases through the flues
    gave higher superheat, he reported 470 degrees, that is Celsius , not Fahrenheit!
    Since I do not know anything about the actual dimensions applied to Galatea during restoration, I have absolutely no idea whether this is applicable in this case.
    As for the 3A and 3B boilers, they were used in 3-cylinder and 2-cylinder locomotives resp., a 3B on a Jubilee would give
    Jubilee problems, not boiler ones. Although the average mass flow is comparable, the peak flows are not, hence the smaller
    orifice of a 3-cylinder.
    Kind regards
    Jos Koopmans
     
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  5. JJG Koopmans

    JJG Koopmans Member

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    Further to this, I happen to be in the possession of a compilation of the original testdata of 5722. If I use the trendlines of the measured data, it appears that the original chimney allowed 20760 lbs of feedwater evaporated by about 3350 lbs of Blidw. coal giving steam of 605 F. with a backpressure of 6.9 psi and 3.8 in water as vacuum. For the same water and coal rate the improved chimney steam temp. remained the same, backpressure was 5.6 psi and vacuum 4.3 in water. The double chimney gave 602 F steam with only 4 psi backpressure and 5 in water vacuum. Imho the drop in backpressure more than compensates the few degrees drop in steam temperature.
    I happen to know that worldwide locomotive owners and heritage directors are too busy to have time for internet fora, however, if Galatea is restored in say 1955 condition a second look at the frontend might be very usefull.
    Kind regards
    Jos Koopmans
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2015
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  6. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I don't understand how different levels of smokebox vacuum can give the same water and coal rates. I would expect more vacuum to mean more draught and therefore burning more coal.

    Nothing can be done about the tube and flue proportions in the short term, but might it be possible to fit wider flues when they are due for renewal, by enlarging the holes that they fit into?
     
  7. gwalkeriow

    gwalkeriow Well-Known Member

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    By enlarging the flues you would leave precious little space between the holes in the tubeplate, which would surely compromise its strength.
     
  8. Oli15

    Oli15 Member

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    I dont know how true it is but ive heard cases where in steam days crews who were on a known poor single chimney steamer made a slight improvement on shed by putting a thin block of wood over the centre of the blastpipe and then try and keep it there with steel wire!! Although this was forbidden in the case it worked loose, it effectively made it into a double chimney loco and thus improved steaming.
     
  9. rule55

    rule55 Member

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    Don't really know if a thin block of wood would last very long but there were certainly similar devices used.

    http://www.nrm.org.uk/OurCollection/RunningTheRailway/CollectionItem.aspx?objid=1986-8171&pageNo=19
     
  10. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think thats whats called a 'Jimmy' as you say it was frowned upon but it still happened.
     
  11. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I hope that someone from West Coast is reading this debate as it strikes me that notwithstanding the considerable expertise on LMS designs that must exist at Carnforth, there does seem to be plenty of food for thought here.

    Let's set aside the possible issue of the coal quality used as it appears the Scot can handle it on a good day. Simply through observation, the recording of performance and the occasional comments made by those that drive and fire her, it appears all is not yet perfect with Galatea. Hopefully, over time, this can be sorted out or the Jubilee is likely to be destined for light main line duties for quite some time.
     
  12. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Heard of it being done with pieces of steel bar, or even chain, but I cannot imagine wood doing too well for too long.
     
  13. Big Dave

    Big Dave Member

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    Jimmy's were common enough in steam days a thick welding rod ore even two arranged as a cross would do it.

    The jimmy led me to create a blower for our Fowler roller when I wanted to use better quality coal.

    Most blowers on road engines if even fitted did not often work and so I took a different approach.
    I made a ring of thick walled copper tube that vwould fit around the blast pipe and drilled holes around the ring directed up the chimney.

    This device worked a treat and when using anthracite would quickly brighten the fire. The engine being a compound only generated a soft blast which was sufficient to keep[ the fire bright but not to get it going.
    This worked a treat I could keep the boiler up to the mark (180psi) making the job of driving it a pleasant task, believe me a compound down the nick is not funny.

    This is what got me interested in draughting after suffering with bad coal.

    Merely comparing 5699 with 6115 tells us nothing apart from the obvious how could we tell if the coal was the same, the scots were well known for having a potent boiler and accordingly were overloaded, some have said power wise that they were not far short of being equal to a King.

    I also think post #776 is probably right and it's not the first time this has happened.

    Talking to the late Ray Tranter was interesting as he was of the opinion that the preservation runs of Manors on Talerddig could have been better, firing the loco all the way to the summit instead of closing the door at Llanbrynmair and letting her get on with it.

    Cheers Dave

    Ps to Jos wanted to learn more so I've ordered your book
     
  14. JJG Koopmans

    JJG Koopmans Member

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    Hi,
    Since I wasn't satisfied with the A/S results I have removed my earlier comment and recalculated with greater care for details like including the tube plate thicknesses(1,75 in. total?) for tube length. For the tubes it is 1/391 and for the flues 1/378, both different from Cox and Powell, but that is as it is. These are sufficiently different, but this does not explain the measured lower
    superheat for the double chimney as reported by Powell and supported in my data.
    As for the question on the consumptions, blast pressure should be compared with an identical amount of steam ejected, however, the effect of diminished blast pressure is to be found in the tractive effort/Hp. I made another graph from the WRHP power data (probably the waterbrake?) against the steam and for identical power, 1200, the steam consumption is 20.373 for the original, 20.203 for the modified single and 19.847 lbs/hr for the double, so yes, it appears quantifiable.
    On the remark on "what to change", imho the flues should be left alone, replacing the 1.375 for 1.25 elements would be an option, but why not look at the tubes? Given Powells remark on the difference between the smokebox temperature in front of the tubes, some 800F, and in front of the flues, some 700, smaller tubes might enhance their heat transmission. It would improve the ratio between the area trough the large tubes to the total and increase superheat. Be not afraid of the decrease in evap. area, that is always sufficient!
    Kind regards
    Jos Koopmans
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2015
  15. Big Dave

    Big Dave Member

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    Hi
    Jos your mention of tube sizes takes me back to a journey behind 5690 in the 1980's when she was owned by the SVR.
    After a day of delays and problems none of which were down to the engine we finally left Appleby in the late evening literally hours late.
    We made a good start from Appleby and were going really well when approaching Kirkby Stephen we got back boards we were catching the 47 hauled excursion in front of us probably due to long sections.
    This seemed to be the last straw for our driver after a very trying day and he really went for it.
    The sight must have been very similar to Terry Essery's run with 5699.
    You would not dare to hang out of the window showers of sparks like tangerines were showering down on the train I have never experienced anything like it I later found out that she was at 75% and full regulator.
    A very special run.

    Cheers Dave
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 11, 2022
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  16. Shoddy127

    Shoddy127 Well-Known Member

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    I bet his mate on the shovel appreciated it lol!
     
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  17. LMS2968

    LMS2968 Part of the furniture

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    Nah, just think how easy fire dropping would be.
     
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  18. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

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    He would have had TWO mates on the footplate!! Fairly normal in those days.

    Cheers

    Alan
     
  19. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

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    Hello thought it would be good fun to start a discussion on Galatea as she goes into overhaul. Remembering the footage from the test runs in Spring 2013, there were many adjustments that took places during 2013-2015. From 2016 to the end of the ticket the Jubilee performance were truly fantastic. Proud of the work and the maintenance to get the LMS Jubilee restored. Hoping for a good overhaul!
     
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  20. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    Good Lord, if you asked me when Galatea re-emerged i’d’ve said 2019 at the earliest! Where’s the time gone?

    Simon
     
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