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RTC: Edinburgh Flyer - 04/04/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Enterprise, Mar 23, 2026.

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  1. Rail Ranger

    Rail Ranger New Member

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    It was fitted with air braking by a previous owner.
     
    Rail Ranger, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:04 AM
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  2. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    It was owner's choice, as I don't believe 34067 is owned outright by West Coast.
    It is owner's choice not to fit the others.
    To me Tangmere has never sounded quite right in recent years when compared to others of it's same class, but it used to be a very strong performer 15-20 years ago.
    There was a good reason so many were rebuilt, the intensive use is perhaps highlighting this.
    I suspect there is a big desire to get Lizzie back.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2026 at 9:26 AM
    acorb, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:05 AM
    #42
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  3. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    To their credit, repairs have been completed to Tangmere rapidly in the past. Otherwise there are Black 5s available in the absence of The Jacobite.
     
    acorb, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:07 AM
    #43
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  4. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Indeed it was.
    Although Tangmere was out of traffic for many years and it is perhaps surprising the air brake apparatus wasn't made use of during the overhaul of 35018, for example.
    When the Northern Belle was acquired there wasn't a loco in the 10A fleet that could be used on it so 6201 was "acquired" as a stop gap resurrection and overhaul of 34067 undertaken. It seems doubtful whether either of those things would have happened had the Northern Belle not become part of WC, bringing with it a necessity for air brake capability.
     
    26D_M, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:12 AM
    #44
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  5. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Fingers crossed, 'The Lancashire Fusilier' would be very pleasing I'm sure.
     
    26D_M, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM
    #45
  6. Alex Productions

    Alex Productions Member

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    I didn't know about that. I thought Tangmere was owned by David Smith and it was his decision my mistake.
     
    Alex Productions, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:18 AM
    #46
  7. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    It was owned by a close associate of David Smith, that may now have changed, but the air brakes date from that period of ownership.
     
    acorb, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:23 AM
    #47
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  8. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Bet the costs for 2 thunderbirds, one from Newark stung....
     
    guycarr360, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM
    #48
  9. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Maybe that should read "close associate " ......
    34067 was originally owned by Brian Pickett who put it through restoration at Riley's, including fitting of air brake apparatus. Mr Pickett sadly died not long after it returned to steam and a partnership of Riley's and John Bunch bought it, whereafter it was used extensively very successfully on the VSOE train under EWS operation.
    Around 2007 the Riley shareholding, at least, was sold and it went under WC operation. It may have been used a while longer on the VSOE by EWS, can't verify. Other than the original news that it had been sold to the "associate" of Mr Smith, there has been little to suggest it is any different to the rest of the 10A fleet in terms of ownership.
     
    26D_M, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:45 AM
    #49
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  10. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    67’s travails have nothing to do with why the Bulleids were rebuilt. One only has to look at how good ‘92 was on the main line as well as 67’s performances earlier in her main line career to show what they are capable off. ‘67 has sounded well off beat of late. Whether that’s due to valves being set wrong or other issues with the valve gear, I know not.
     
    Spamcan81, Apr 5, 2026 at 10:13 AM
    #50
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  11. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    For how much of the trip did Tangmere stay on the train despite being seriously sick?
     
    MellishR, Apr 5, 2026 at 10:13 AM
    #51
  12. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    They were both from Newark. The odd thing is, they're really meant to be used to clear the line and 34067 was already off the train and in the down goods loop out of the way. I'm not sure why they were used to drag it all the way back to York.
     
    5944, Apr 5, 2026 at 10:31 AM
    #52
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  13. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Totally agree. It isn't a criticism to say that original Bulleids have unique set up and maintenance requirements but with the right regime are capable of astonishing performance. As you say 34092 was exceptional, especially after the Geisel modification, traffic notices of the day referred to it being "class 7 but load as class 8" I understand.
    34067 was also a strong performer when it was on the VSOE job during its first stint restored.
     
    26D_M, Apr 5, 2026 at 10:36 AM
    #53
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  14. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    I don’t think you can categorise its usage in the heritage era as ‘intensive’ in comparison to its BR days?
    There appears to be recurring instances of front end problems, judging by the failures and audible evidence from videos.
    Regarding this latest episode, as the loco stayed on the train for some distance despite the symptoms, I’d expect she’ll probably need a rebore as well as new rings etc Hopefully there’s enough meat in the liners to permit that.
    I wonder who picks up the bill for the rescue?
     
    Sheff, Apr 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM
    #54
  15. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    As colas replaced wc for ecml thunderbird duties there is a little irony
     
    Sidmouth, Apr 5, 2026 at 1:40 PM
    #55
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  16. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Because it had air braking fitted before it moved to become a 10A loco I believe. Personally I am not sure what the ownership is of the loco.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Apr 5, 2026 at 2:53 PM
    #56
  17. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Recalling that the LH outside cylinder disintegrated whilst hauling a train on the S&C in 2024. Replaced by the one from 34073?
    Some while before that it was reportedly out of traffic undergoing a middle cylinder rebore?
     
    26D_M, Apr 5, 2026 at 7:55 PM
    #57
  18. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    as others have highlighted 34067 can be a very capable performer, the climb of Hemerdon and the unassisted climb out of Weymouth being some of my favourite footage on youtube . I am also sad it has gathered an unfair reputation and become something of a butt of jokes . I am also wary of being too critical of those trying to care for it without knowing what support and resource they are given to perform that task . I suspect in 2026 there is a very small pool of people who absolutely understand all the nuances, foibles and really how to keep an original Bulleid in top form on the main line.

    Without wishing to open up the box on the back debate a broader question about how you ensure adequate lubrication is delivered to the Valves and Pistons ? if 2000hp on the back is whisking you up to 75mph and you don't need to be on much more the first valve is that enough ?
     
    Sidmouth, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:11 PM
    #58
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  19. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    That's either a red herring or bandit country dependent on your point of view. I lean towards neither view.

    There has been little wrong with Tangmere in its main line work and you have cited two specific cases - Weymouth and Hemerdon - when it has produced some remarkable performances. I also recall that when Ray Churchill was in charge, he always seemed to get her to go well. But this was when Tangmere had not long been under the custodianship of WCR.

    For whatever reason, since those days WCR has had no luck with the loco. I have no idea why things have gone wrong but WCR has also had immense luck - in the 'Winchfield pin' incident, for example. So not all bad. But either way, the list of failures is considerable and that must be a sign of something, I know not what.
     
    Big Al, Apr 5, 2026 at 9:35 PM
    #59
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