GWR No. 2807

Sorry everybody, but there was a slight hiccup in the proceedings yesterday. One of the eccentric link retaining pins came out while 2807 was hauling the train out of Greet Tunnel for the second time. The result of this could have been serious, but we seem to have been very fortunate and the damage appears to be limited to destroying the LHS front valve cylinder cover centre.

We’re still checking the loco, and trying to work out why the pin came out. The loco has run hundreds of miles at Llangollen on test trains. The pin was checked by Cotswold Steam, by the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway as part of their commissioning inspection, and again by the driver on the day.

We are currently trying to source a replacement valve cylinder cover, and once we have 2807 will be back in service.

Further updates to follow.

Cotswold Steam

 

The photo above was taken by my friend Peter T (I was travelling in the coach behind 2807) and shows that 2807 was behaving impeccably up to the point when she dropped a link and the valve blew out the valve cover centre boss. As described by Cotswold Steam, it could have been worse. At the time of the muffled bang Brian and I were listening to the locos steady beat, taking in the smooth ride and noting that she was steaming unbelievably freely (all the crews have noted this both at Toddington and Llangollen) so we were a little shocked when we heard the heart-stopping bang! However, we were lucky also to have the class 37 at the other end (trains are topped and tailed from Winchcombe to Gotherington until the landslip is fixed) so we were soon deliverd back to Toddington, leaving 2807 with some of our team who quickly got her ready to be dragged back to Toddington shed by the class 20. The team were all over her very quickly and were very relieved by what they found. Early days yet but God willing, she should be OK soon. For me, just to stand on the footplate of 2807 before she departed on the 1st train of the day (92203 was the other steamer on duty) was a lifetime dream come true. I'm looking forward to my next acquaintance already! Hopefully 2807 will do us proud.

 

Why does this particular loco seem to have a technical vocabulary all of its own?

Whatever is an eccentric link? - presumably you mean an eccentric rod (either fore or back gear; left or right hand side).
What on earth is a valve cover centre boss?? - is it really a front valve rod dummy gland?

I could go on.

 

Thanks for that 1472. There's no need to go on. Looking back at your previous posts in this thread you've already said more than enough.

Cotswold Steam.

 

Be patient... All will hopefully be revealed this evening when I get chance to process my photos. Unless of course somebody jumps in before me.
So far only the events leading up to the failure have been posted.

http://clive-hanley.fotopic.net/c1881716.html

 

A great shame to hear about this incident hope that any damage can be repaired as fast as possible looking forward to riding behind her when she returns to traffic.
Best wishes
RASDV
GWR 2807 supporter

 

There's a few photos at this link:

http://cotswoldsteampreservation.fpic.co.uk/c1881930.html

The motion was dismantled and checked out yesterday and all found to be undamaged. The offending pin was slightly off dimensions and has been machined. The other three pins were checked and are OK. All that remains is to source a replacement for the damaged part.

Cotswold Steam

 

Phew! That's a relief! Thanks for the update.

 

Looking at that fracture it may be possible to weld that, though the cost may be more than a new casting. Worth talking to a specialist cast iron welder for an opinion?

 

I have been informed that 2807 is back in service (hooray!) and was pulling trains on the Glos Warks Rly yesterday (Sunday). According to the GWR website Loco roster, 2807 is also due to run this coming weekend (21 and 22 Aug).

 

Good to see that 2807 is getting the miles in now after a long restoration. Hopefully 1 day she will be back at Llangollen for a future Steam Gala?

 

No. 2807 is now in service on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Toddington.

More details here:

http://www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk/news.htm

and here:

http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news/no-2807-in-service.aspx

Cotswold Steam.

 

Do you know if it's likely to be running over the Bank Holiday weekend?

Dave

 

We will know by the end of the day if the loco will run this weekend.

 

GWR No. 2807 is rostered for tomorrow (Saturday), Sunday, Monday, and the remainder of the running days next week, including a driving experience on Friday.

Cotswold Steam

 

I'll be there!!

 

I wish I could be! Can you get some good shots for the website folks so that I can see what I'm missing?!

 

Leaving Winchcombe with the 1415 ex Toddington: