66xx no.6695

Condensing coil for the hydrostatic lubricator.

 

Thank you, curiosity satisfied!

Steve B

 

That would be the condensing coil for the hydrostatic lubricator

 

Cab heater …

Tom

 

Terrific to see the progress being made with the overhaul of 6695. What's the plan for the loco once it's running? I hope it won't be yet another ex-BR loco that is restored/overhauled at the S&CR only to leave for pastures new...

 

As it currently stands 6695 will remain on site for a period of three years. Once that period is over, it is then up to 6695 Limited and the S&CR to determine a way forward.

As a member of the S&CR trust, I personally would like it to remain at the S&CR along with sister loco 5637 for the forseable future. Many of us are indeed aware of the fact that in the past, hard work has been spent on overhauls and restorations, only for the loco to move on elsewhere - unfortunately the S&CR of the past has been short sighted. Now, we like to think we've got a better reputation and hope that 6695 limited considers us a good home for their loco.

 

Popped over to the railway a few weeks ago and saw 6695, she looks good and will certainly be a great addition. Perfect type of loco, hope this one stays.

Having not visited for a few years it certainly starting to look like they are getting some traction.

Good luck and will pop in again when 6695 back in steam.

 

Anyone who has to oil around one may hold a slightly different view!

 

Not just oiling but disposing them as well, especially emptying that smokebox. Driving them isn't the best, either. All in all, a good example of how not to design a loco.

 

They’ll be letters …

Quite agree about smokebox disposal though, to which you can also add that they transmit a rough ride to the first few carriages on a train if worked hard.

Tom

 

You're obviously not someone who values the photographically 'quaint' employment of a plank across the front buffers!

 

When 6619 was a resident on the NYMR, the usual method of emptying the smokebox was to rest the bucket of the loading shovel on the buffers and to stand in that. It was also very handy for shovelling the ash into.

 

On Saturday 29th July 2022, the AGM for 6695 Limited was held at Blunsdon Station, on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.

The shareholders of 6695 were given a special treat as 6695 was in light steam at Hayes Knoll shed. The first time since 2015



The steam dept at the S&CR have worked tirelessly and super hard to get her to this stage. We're proud of what we have acheived.

There are still some small jobs to go through, but we're looking at a launch event at the end of September for 6695!

 

56xx are reliable, economical locos.

They do look odd/ ugly because they have a boiler that’s too big for the loco frames. But aesthetics don’t haul coal trains.

As for driver comfort; everyone who drives 56xx locos for the past 60 or so does it for fun!

 

Volunteers on heritage railways clean toilets, as well. We all long for the better jobs in this game. You take the rough with the smooth.

 

.... and work on PW

 

I used to muse on these locos and looked at the locos they are supposedly based upon ( Rhymney Rly 'M') and then you look at the 56xx smokebox and its considerably longer - now I don't know if the M class had the added complication of a superheater but having got up close and personnel into a 56XX smokebox there is a awful lot of 'wasted' space in there. Although if they had been built with a sensible & safe area to empty the front end, your still left with a loco that needs a gorilla like crew to reach all the controls whilst leaning out the cab during any shunting moves!

 

The black hole that is the inside motion. Tales from Midland crews when they had to take one. Throw the oil can over the motion, thatll do.
There is a good loco in there but they are not an easy beast.

They were used on Birmingham suburban work. Small wheels. Big cylinders. Lots of power with quick acceleration. One, properly restored id a very capable loco. The few we have had recently havent been the best.

 

I might be making this up / imagining this, but does the size of the smokebox relative to the blastpipe impact draughting on the fire? That could be the logic behind such a large smokebox with so much space. Also personally speaking (from experience) if cleaning out a smokebox, I would rather have more wasted space with plenty of room to get a brush and shovel (and fireman) in than a tight one full of nooks and crannies that's a pain to get in and empty