VT - The Cornishman - 28 April - Update

P.S Cracking video's lads, Swindon steam at it's finest.

 

I think you can take it as read that Tyseley in no way 'thrash' their engines. When you have given the amount of time, care and attention that Bob and Alastair Meanley and their team lavish on their engines there is just no way that would happen.

Having been lucky enough to be on 5043's first trip up Shap, I have witnessed first hand how well 5043 performs on hills. Don't forget, it's almost impossible to keep a Castle quiet, even a double chimney version!

 

I would like to know on what you base this comment, and what, if any, qualification you are drawing from to make such a comment.

 

Superb run. Loco worked hard not thrashed. Plymouth to Exeter approx 61 min. Bill Wariner driving Alastair firing.Thanks to Vintage Trains and West Coast

 

theres no need to push the engine as hard as it was pushed seems to me VT and WCR drivers like to flog locos to death get they're shoulders right under the regulator stright into 2nd value.

 

years of experience.

 

not from what I seen and heard from on the train,

 

That really narrows it down, I've a few years experience driving a FF1600 but it doesn't mean I'm an expert on F1.

 

Don't feed the...

 

You have got the attention you so desparately desire... well done.

Somewhat ironic username choice though, inspired, clever or just an accident?

 

Perhaps you'd like to quote examples along with a name then

 

Do i rise to your bait or not........na not worth It,

 

What rubbish - you obviously have very little understanding of this as amply demonstrated by your rather prevocative post but addressing the points you make:

Firstly I was a passenger today throughout & whilst at times 5043 was worked hard this would not reasonably be described as thrashing - more the business like performance many are coming to greatly appreciate from this superbly engineered and maintained locomotive. Performance of the type seen today is exactly what is required if steam is to have any future on the national network.

Secondly the locomotive was crewed, at least in part, by Alistair Meanley who was heavily involved in its rebuild, and is responsible for its day to day maintenance. Perhaps you will now start to realise that it is pretty unlikley that the type of abuse you suggest would be tolerated.

Thirdly in its current form very little of 5043 is 76 years old - in fact it is quite liklely that large parts of it such as the boiler are actually younger than similar components on 71000. Contrary to some of the drivel re GW locos posted occasionaly on this forum development of the Castles continued well into the 1950's & 5043 is quite a different machine to an "origonal" castle a fact not unconnected with its proven ability in todays conditions.

 

Great video Hemerdon, especially liking the clip from Tigley.

Can't see how the engine was being thrashed, as Ralph has already mentioned, with the guys firing and being on the footplate, a few words would duely have been said if they weren't happy with how the engine was being driven.

Looking forward to seeing some more video's if this one is anything to go by!

 

Irony at it's finest...

 

Interesting that you are from Birmingham (or birmingham as you would have it). Wonder if there's been any 'previous' between you and the (highly competent) Tyseley organisation?

 

Here's my vid of the Earl cruising along quite nicely today.

[video=youtube;mDGb91MLMwE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDGb91MLMwE[/video]

 

Thanks Shoddy. I'm no expert but having seen a lot of steam on the main line I didn't consider the Earl was being thrashed.

 

Interesting that your local railway centre is Tyseley. You should pop over there in the next couple of days and introduce yourself.

This wind up of yours reminds me of a member we suffered a short time ago. What was his name? 'Dragging Clutch' or something similar? <BJ>