Industrial Loco Updates

Both Mirvale and Henry de Lacy II are eminently capable of running Middleton's services, as are all their steam locos. Both locos are somewhat larger and more powerful than the two Manning Wardles. With sixteen steam locos in the collection (plus Picton) and a maximum requirement for four in service, even if there was a plan for it, some of those locos aren't going to steam again for perhaps thirty years. Agreement was nearly reached with the NYMR to overhaul Mirvale for that line's 60th anniversary in 2018 but it unfortunately fell through.
With the diesel fleet, it is somewhat different as there is no 10 year time frame to consider. Of the ten diesel locos, only the small Fowler is non-operational long term due to its small size (40 hp) and there's actually no reason why that couldn't run again if it was wanted. In theory it just needs a radiator but, after so long out of use, would really need a strip down and some mechanical TLC.

 

Can but agree Steve about Mirvale and the Moors. Especially when you take into account that she's a most suitable locomotive for the Moors, what with it's torturous twisty, turny, switch back route.........! Seriously though it would be nice to see her back as a guest "station pilot" , say at Pickering at a special event.

 

Thanks Steve! Yeah I can see how the fleet size presents its challenges. I will say though that I love the fact that your out-of-service locos are on display. I wish more railways could emulate you & the KWVR in doing this. Don't know where I read about Mirvale and HdL then!

Would have been amazing to see her on the Moors - they did go through a period of hiring industrial locos for carriage heating until Lucie became operational!

 

Sorry, one more question - does anyone know the current status, or even location, of Manning Wardle 1317 of 1891? I'm also interested to know how it's TE compares to other similar-sized locos such as a Hunslet 15" 0-6-0st?

 

Bagnall 2746 The Duke

The cladding is 99% complete after a bit of a battle to shape the new sheets correctly around the firebox; the 8F team have also made a new cladding section to fit under the boiler in front of the firebox. Work has begun on the cab fittings, but there will be a bit of a pause, hopefully not too long, while the 8F workshop is re-wired.

Tim

 

I drove past the Middleton Railway’s Moor Road station today and noticed that Kitson 0-6-0ST ‘Conway’ was in the car park, sheeted over, coupled to a 12T van and the Fowler shutter ‘Harry’.


The last few times I’ve been, Conway has been on display in the engine house, and I passed just a few days ago and things have moved about since then. Does anyone know why it’s now outside sheeted over?

 

Quite simply there’s only room for so many items of stock in the Engine House and what’s left has to be outside. It was in the car park because things were being moved around.

 

AB 1719 'Lady Nan' was failed last April with a holed internal main steam pipe. Both the tank and upper part of the cab had to be removed to allow the pipe to be removed. Yesterday, following modification to the petticoat fixing arrangement, the tank was replaced. Hopefully we should replace the cab next week. We are waiting for the delivery of a new fabricated internal steam pipe and have recently ordered new fabricated smokebox steam pipes after deciding that the original cast ones are at the end of their life.

 

Bagnall 2746 The Duke

Steady progress with the plumbing and other remaining details; various holes cut into the cab in the past have been expertly filled and welded using bits of the old toolbox lid, completion of the cab fittings is dependent on the re-wiring of the 8F workshop, most of the electrical components for that are now to hand. The blastpipe and main steampipe elbow are now fitted in place. Potential bottlenecks are the supply and fitting of the new main steam delivery pipe and a set of buffalo ejectors, which last are expected to be more effective than the ex main line ejector currently in stock.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a Buffalo Injector?

 

https://www.greenandboulding.co.uk/buffalo-ejector-or-jet-pump


The report said Ejector not Injector, so 2 secs on google, please see above. No doubt someone will provide a dissertation on the application.

 

These ejectors work well providing you keep the pressure going to them down to 40-60 psi. From experience, don't install the ejector in the same orientation as shown in the data sheet given in post 1451 above, which people tend to do. If you do, you will probably end up with water in the vacuum brake system due to condensation. I try to install them with the connection to the train pipe facing upwards and a drain pipe on the exhaust. If that's not possible, install them with the exhaust pointing downwards.

 

Hi Steve,

Many thanks for the tip, which I will pass on to the team. Last week's jobs were some minor titivations in the cab area and brushing down and painting the new chimney, which brings up the question if anyone feels able to advise: how exactly is it fitted, bearing in mind we have a brand new chimney to fit on a new smokee box, and no holes drilled. The chimney casting seems to be designed to be drilled from the underside, presumably the holes are drilled straight through to a tapping clearance? The next step would probably be to lift the chimney into pace and then level the engine before centering the chimney over the blastpipe, next mark the smokebox top, remove chimney and drill through, tap chimney for studs or bolts and await fitting of tank before final bolting down with studs from the underside. Is this the correct sequence, and should a gasket be fitted between the chimney and the top of the smokebox to ensure an airtight seal?

 

Investigation of a steam blow at the front end of RS&H 7170/1944 Austerity 'Welsh Guardsman' has revealed that the cylinder block casting has failed and the block is beyond repair
https://www.svrlive.com/bljun22

 

That sounds fairly terminal then. Sell it for spares?

 

No, you fit a replacement cylinder block.

Bob.

 

Cylinder block replacement is becoming more common as time goes by. Generally a cheaper job than boiler work.

 

I dont know how active it is these days but there is/ was an Austerity Owners Group which held drawings and some spares. A new cylinder for an Austerity tank shouldn't be that difficult a job all things in. But how quickly its sorted is another question. Its 10 year ticket ending is only a couple of years away so I can see the owners going for a full overhaul. SVR losing two small tanks in short order is a tough pill though.

 

Are there patterns and core boxes for Austerity cylinders? I have been told that there aren't: if so a serious first cost looms, doesn't it?
Pat

 

The item went on to say:"Fortunately, our friends at the Mid-Hants Railway have recently been sourcing a new cylinder block for a similar Austerity saddle tank [presumably Hunslet 3781 of 1952?] and they are assisting us with some indicative pricing of a replacement" - so possibly this isn't a 'first cost'?