GW 2800 and 2884 classes

As far as I know no 2800 was ever retrofitted with the improved cab of the 2884...was there a technical reason for this or was the cab so well built in the first place, it lasted 50 odd years without needing replacement. (probably the latter reason, they after all were GW engines built at Swindon....

 

I think there were some differences in the compensating as well as a lot of 28xx's haveing inside steam pipes.

 

The outside pipes were a retrofit that not all got so I don't think that's relevant...

This got me thinking, and subject to correction I cannot think of any Churchward design that acquired a Collett style cab other than those Stars which were converted to Castles with the extra inches welded onto the frames aft... Plenty of Dean tank engines got later style cabs of course.

I can't spot my copy of Russell. Do any of you more knowledgeable folk know if the 2884s and the Collett Moguls had frame extensions for the cabs? That would explain things...

 

it would wouldnt it...I think you have my answer... =D>

 

Not 100% sure if they did, at least as far as the 93's were concerned. Will have a look later.

 

I would guess the reason the cabs never changed is that they were not taken off the engines as there was no need, they are rivetted to the frames and do not need to come off for a heavy general.

 

If the cab is left in position, how is the boiler lifted?

 

Cab is bolted together and onto the frames, you just unbolt the front of the cab and the roof - boiler then is a straight lift

 

I think you will find the cab sides are riveted to the frames, the front sheet and roof are indeed bolted to them, thus no need ot remove the sides.

 

Some people don't even bother removing the bolts either! :-#

Having consulted the words, the back end of a 93xx is indeed no longer than that of a 53xx - the size of some Churchward cabs can be deceptive due to the much shorter roof. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same for the 28xx's.

 

would have made sense to have fitted modified font and roof to the sides wouldnt it? especially during the War...oh god Im Uncle Albert now.... #-o

 

It would have been far easier and cheaper to make the anti-glare screens (blackout screens) and send them to the shed, rather than take the engine out of service to do the work. To change the sides means taking up the floor and removing a hole host of other bits.

 

Curiously the Churchward locos which did get updated Collett cabs were the large 2-6-2T s (flatter eliptical roofs compared with the original higher vaulted/segmentel ones). Yet there seems no practical reason why the flatter roofs should have been substituted other than to make them look more modern.

 

The driving position is actually more awkward on the 2884's than the 2800's. This being due to the the rear cab support on the 2884's making it harder for the driver to lean out around the reverser.

With the original Churchward cabs, you don't have this problem: http://www.2857.org.uk/images/Hereford1 ... _600px.jpg