GW County discussion

The Countys also had the same cylinder/frame configuration as Hawksworth's Modified Halls. Compared to the original Halls, I'm told that the Modified Halls were regarded as freer running at speed. They were quite comfortable running in the high 80s and were the booked motive power for some of the fast expresses with mile-a-minute schedules, particularly the non-stop Oxford-Paddingtons. The higher superheat boiler may have helped a bit, but of course some of these boilers were also later fitted to Halls and Granges. The success of the Modified Halls was really the inspiration for Counties which has a very similar chassis layout. The Granges werer also regarded as very free running, but in this case it was apparently attributed to the different steam chest design compared with the Halls.

David

 

Re: Betton Grange

..and yet no more Counties were built after 1030 and it was back to Castles again....

 

Re: Betton Grange

From sources I've seen, Counties were not particularly favoured, not saying they were crap, just not as favoured as other types.

 

Re: Betton Grange

they were more expensive to build than Halls and with only 2" bigger wheels not much of an improvement once the boiler pressure was lowered. I guess that has a bearing

 

Re: Betton Grange

or even 1029 "County of Worcester"

 

Re: Betton Grange

busted....i couldnt decide whether to put 30 had been built or 1029.... busted!

 

Re: Betton Grange

incidently, I think the GWS should go for 1030 as the number for theirs....much less like re-writing history that way.

 

Re: Betton Grange

Yep, but they wanted to call it County of Glamorgan so I suppose 1014 and 1030 both named thus could also have seemed like re-writing history I never saw a County (they didn't come to Worcester) so I am looking forward to seeing this one - hopefully it will appear in my lifetime!

 

Re: Betton Grange

Its being done as 1014 to mark the role that Glamorgan Council played in making this project possible with the release of 7927 and 48518.

 

Re: Betton Grange

[ep, but they wanted to call it County of Glamorgan so I suppose 1014 and 1030 both named thus could also have seemed like re-writing history I never saw a County (they didn't come to Worcester) so I am looking forward to seeing this one - hopefully it will appear in my lifetime!

I think the odds on seeing 1014 running in your lifetime (as long as you are planning to be here in within the next 3-4 years) are quite good
check out http://www.gwcountyproject.org.uk/for the latest updates of news and progress
I have just seen pictures of the firebox on Facebook about to go undego its modifications
I have been informed the tender is coming on well and there is a planned County day next year at Didcot
Both the 1014 team and finances are looking good but like any project of this size more of either will never be refused

 

Re: Betton Grange

I always remember one sighting back in the early 60's, it was what was termed "The Oxford Flyer" 5.30 pm Oxford to Paddington non-stop given 60 minutes. On this particular occasion 6992 Arborfield Hall flew through Reading on the up through road. I believe the speed limit there was 80 mph at the time, but certainly looked faster.
In later years the train was given a stop at Reading.

 

Re: Betton Grange

80 on the through road....pheewwww. when did anything do that last I wonder. i wasn't in Reading in early 60's but just can't imagine it now what with the incredible station rebuild going on. Lucky if any through train including the freights tops 30 !!! Plenty of historic timings available to show just what they did when through trains were a part of Readings traffic.

 

Re: Betton Grange

i know that, it could still be called that but with 1030 numberplates. As for the name being used twice, well lets start a list of instances where it happened....dozens spring to mind just in the Castle Class!

 

Re: Betton Grange

How about County of Merseyside.......yuk

 

Re: Betton Grange

Is that because they have stolen there parts from other locos............. I'll get my coat.

 

Re: Betton Grange

I have experience of firing and driving "Hagley" and "Raveningham" Halls on the Severn Valley. Both were an absolute delight to be on. Personally, I found Raveningham to be a little more brutal and less user-friendly than Hagley, but that may be to do with the slab-sided tender on Raveningham. Performance-wise, there was little to choose between them, although Raveningham was certainly louder! Hagley was utterly gorgeous and I loved working on it. I hope it returns before I have to retire from the footplate. As stated, my opinions are personal and not intended to toss pebbles in anyone's ponds!

Regards,

jtx

 

Re: Betton Grange

It will be interesting to less how the new County compares with a Hall, now that it has been revealed that they're sticking with the 225psi working pressure of the 8F boiler, rather than the 250psi of the Counties in later life - essentially they seem to be creating a 6'3" driver Hall!

 

Re: Betton Grange

Considering that,if I understand their website correctly,they have to modify the cab and boiler mountings to comply with NR's loading gauge they might as well have saved their money and kept the Hall's 6' wheels. 'Doubt if many people would have noticed the difference . Just my 2p's worth and no disrespect intended.Ray.

 

Re: Betton Grange

6' 3" Grange?? I think this thread is getting a bit muddled. Time to untangle the County stuff and move to appropriate thread? I'll ask the mods ....

 

Update on progress for 1014 now on the website

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