Railmotor on the Liskeard-Looe branch?

Seems to have been late all day. Quite a few minutes dropped on most trips in the morning.

 

About 20 late on the 3rd train of the day, just passed Lodge Barton crossing (huge noise!). There have been steaming issues when moving, as the fireman can't fire the engine on the move.

James at SVN

 

The 14.30 left Liskeard on time and ran early coming back from Looe; I got bowled! But the vintage bus was a nice unexpected extra.

 

The boiler is attached to the bogie, and the fire hole door is just above the floor. Hence when the bogie goes round a bend, the hole moves!

 

My dad was on it; departed Looe before it was even due to arrive!

 

Practice probably Ralph! Not sure who is firing it on these trips, but even if its crew from Didcot who are familiar with this little quirk, they probably aren't familiar with the line so won't be knowing where it will need to be using steam and where it will be shut off, and where there are nice straight bits that they can get a bit on the fire without connecting shovel to boiler casing (with the obvious consequences for arm/shoulder pain!).

 

This might be of interest to those asking about the driving and firing of the SRM - cab ride video shot at Didcot gives some idea as to the driving and firing position when the power bogie is leading, including the position of the firehole and the fact that the driver stands beside the boiler. Cab ride - Didcot Steam Rail Motor 1.avi - YouTube

There is also a follow on "2" video which shows it being driven from the other end with the regulator working remotely - although by the looks of it in this mode the fireman links up the reverser and possibly also applies the brakes. (Not sure about the brakes but certainly the fireman linking up is consistent with auto train working from what I understand)

 

Can only assume route familiarity allowed you to know how much the firebox doors would rotate and where.

Would be interesting to see a video from the "engine room" to see what this rotation is like in practice, i'm surprised that it's seemingly to such a speed and degree that the fireman can't keep up.

Edit: someones already thought of point 2.

 

Actually, it is apparently a problem with draughting. Was listening to the fireman chatting to fellow photographers while waiting for the 12:30 to depart and he mentioned that due to the door to the cab being open, cold air is sucked straight into the firebox and up the chimney. This affects the pressure and a 'stall' is inevitable...

... Or at least, that's what he said!

Had a great day today, but like most others, was completely caught out, like most when the 15:20 from Looe passed Terras crossing heading for Liskeard at about 15:10! I managed to catch up with it and attempted a pacing shot (of sorts, the trees hampered my view of the locomotive) and managed to beat it to the other side of Causeland (the RM stopped at Causeland).

Sounded fantastic when it wasn't stalling! The driver (Ray Churchill - I think!) really did a top job today.

Thanks to everyone involved for organising this cracking event - would happily visit the branch again for the RM!

James at SVN

 

Looking forward to my trip next week.

 

Just back from Looe/Liskard where I enjoyed mtg many enthusiasts. And the FGW management who were crucial in this event happening. Our train mngr was a very senior FGW person,so many many thanks to FGW and the GWS for such a good day. Displays on the history of the branch and sale copies of the poster added to the fun.
Excellent company,chat,scenery,steam railcar.........
93 is staying at Liskard,not Bodmin,this week.
I'm on the 14.30 next week .-today the16.30

 

As mentioned in my previous post, a fabulous day - the weather made it.

My video has just finished uploading, the link is below. Thanks to everyone involved in getting the RM onto this wonderful little line.

The link is here: Steam Railmotor 93 on the Looe Branch Shuttles 11-11-12 - YouTube

Enjoy, and please feel free to leave comments.

James at SVN

(When I get chance, I will edit this post with a couple of photographs from the day)

 

Sorry everyone else for this O/T response. There have been a couple of books on the Leader and the 'intolerable' centre footplate for the fireman has been debunked as a myth in these books, although it is still commonly wheeled out in enthusiasts' discussions on the loco as yet another of its failings. The author of the book - Kevin Robertson I believe, big SR author - personally interviewed a surviving fireman who said it was no worse than a Bulleid Pacific.

 

James, that was just magic! I've not seen anything like that [Obviously]. It just made me smile. What a great day you all had.

 

See you there Ray!

 

Yes, I saw his smiling face when he detrained at Liskeard. We ran early of the 16:30 until we had to stop at Causeland for a blow up on the way back. The climb from Coombe Jct. was interesting, periods of great vigour interspersed with a couple of stretches where I thought we'd stall. Got into Liskeard about five early. An excellent if very long day out.