Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

bristolian · 7 jun 2025

Flying Phil zei: ↑

A technical question for the knowing collective on here. There has been an "interesting" chat about Bulleid Pacific casing fires. Many writers, over the years, have said it is due to oil leaking from the oil bath. Another theory is that it is due to oil from the cab backhead oil feeds to the axleboxes and hornguides, where the trimmings are not removed after the days running, and excess oil then goes on the back of the driving wheels.
Obviously the design of BFB wheels does mean that oil can pool in the "pockets" of the wheel and this can then drain as the wheel rotates and get flung up into the casing.
I do not know how the details of the oil bath but suspect the situation is complex. One description is that the frames form the sides of the oil bath - if so how do they seal when the axle boxes move up and down in the hornguides? There is oil sprayed at pressure onto the valve gear so an oil mist is likely present in the oil bath. There is some steam leakage from the piston rods and piston valve spindles (hence the need for water removal and expensive non emulsion oil) . So, is it possible that this oil mist is actually being blown out slightly onto the back of the wheels?
I know that in heritage use, the wheels are cleaned far more often and I don't believe there have been any casing fires.
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I fondly remember Donald Beale's story 34040 'CREWKERNE', while descending the Mendips on the Up 'Pines', and of her fire. The Firemen who attended managed to spray foam at a stone wall, instead of at the loco (the offending fire of which had been put out by the footplate crew). Donald shouted across to the Firemen "It's the engine that's supposed to be on fire, not the wall!"

Daddsie71b · 5 jul 2025 om 08:55

Amusing typo in issue 334 of Heritage Railway magazine

The Gricing Owl · 5 jul 2025 om 10:09

Daddsie71b zei: ↑

Amusing typo in issue 334 of Heritage Railway magazine
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Well then, it loooks like the Bluebell had better replace 34059 for a Merchant Navy to try and persuade @Jamessquared Tom that firing Bulleids can be fun!

Bryan

nickt · 5 jul 2025 om 11:20

The SLL website Latest News page has been updated today, with news of all the locos. https://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/News/news.html

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Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

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