46229/6233

I can vaguely recall reading somewhere that there is a number of differences between 46229 and 6233. Has 46229 had modifications and if so does this make her a better performing engine???

 

6229 was recently rebuilt back to streamlined condition, visibly they look very different now.

See 6233...
PRCLT Home

And this wiki has pictures of 6229 in all her preservation forms.
LMS Princess Coronation Class 6229 Duchess of Hamilton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I have seen her in streamlined form ( I prefer unstreamlined to be honest ) but I have heard that there are also some none cosmetic differences aswell???

 

Apart from, as built, a rocking grate and hopper ashpan, nothing of significance

 

(4)6229 was originally built as a streamlined loco whereas (4)6233 was never streamlined. When the streamlining was removed there were slight differences between the ex-streamliners and the non-streamliners, especially with the running plate at the front end and, initially, with the smokebox. This enabled the two versions to be easily identified.The running plate variation exisited until the recent re-streamlining of (4)6229.

 

I think I can recall what grant1 is referring to - there were some posts on here a year or so ago about how the superheater elements were modified on 46229 to increase temperatures and get more usage out of the steam generated by the boiler. I think that poster has left this site however, but may be worth using the forum search function to try and find those posts.

Regards,

Dan

 

Wasn't that a posting by Bongo, sadly missed on the Forum?

 

Yes Dan thats the one, I cant recall exactly what it said but that rings a bell.

 

Well remembered Steve! He certainly knew his stuff.

Regards,

Dan

EDIT:

Found it:

http://railways.national-preservati...16632-46235-city-birmingham-4.html#post258230

 

Cheers Dan, knew I had read something and wasnt going mad

grant

 

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere several years ago, that 6229 was built with streamlined steam passages in the cylinders, whereas 6233 wasn't. I stand corrected if this isn't true, wish I could remember where I read it now.

Richard.

 

It was actually built with a drop grate rather than a rocker grate, with two drop sections , one each side at the front of the grate, and that is what the lever and catch on the right side trailing splice frame was for on this engine and 6234 as built.

Also with reference to superheater elements the engine is currently fitted with trifurcated elements which are basically to the original pattern, but with a somewhat cheapened method of manufacturing the trifurcations at the bottom of the element downcomers. I believe that 6233 was fitted with the standard LMS pattern return bend type elements of 1.375 ins diameter at some point in its preservation career, which are not as per original specification of 3 return tubes of 1 ins dia.

Regards
Bob

 

Thanks, Bob, that's what I meant, but couldn't think of the term off the top of my head!

As for streamlined ports within the cylinder castings, the LMS did make changes during production, but most engines had new cylinders during their working lives, presumably to the later specifications. I don't know whether or not 6233 was one of these though.

 

Info on the cylinders from LMS Locomotive Profiles Volume 11 Coronation Pacifics: -
6220-6228 and 6230-6233 were fitted with cylinders to the original design. 6229, 6234 and all the later locos were fitted with modified cylinders when built. The earlier locos had their cylinders replaced with the later type eventually, 6220-6222 did not have their cylinders replaced until the mid 1950s. There is some doubt whether 6223 and 6224 were ever fitted with cylinders to the later design.