'The Capital Christmas Express'. 23rd November

If you think a little deeper about the meaning of efficiency that you imply, you might notice some inadequacy.

 

We seem to be getting two modes of failure now, big end and small end!! What is your source of the information that it was a small end failure?

 

going on reports that the connecting rod came away from the crosshead and skidded along the 3rd rail thats the most likily reason, but its only whats been reported, the official cause hasnt been reported, nor i expect will be, West Coast are very tight lipped about engine matters unles it involves other owners of engines that may need inspection.

 

I totally agree.

 

The cap is screwed into the crankpin. The cap is held in place on the crankpin by a pentagonal/hexagonal locking block which, in turn, is held in place by the internal circlip, located in a groove in the bore of the cap.
The fact that Tangmere was not fitted with the new style crankpins could be dependant on which Loco Works it visited for its last heavy general before withdrawal.

 

Again, whose reports? You must remember that if that is the case, the connecting rod would not just skid along the third rail, because the crankpin to which it is still connected would be rotating, giving a push/pull effect.

 

Words of wisdom from our "elder" statesman. Thank you Ralph.

 

It was gwr4090 who reported. He's not given to speculation and has reliable sources.

http://www.national-preservation.co...press-23rd-november.164731/page-5#post-709203

 

Most of the former "Green Train" coaches have now been painted maroon. Looking at the video in post #47, the brake coach is 9104, which, I believe, is fomerly part of the "Green Train" and is vacuum brake only.

 

Could it be more recent than that...?

This Barry picture (not my own) doesn't show much original motion attached, was it new at its restoration ?, was it part of the bulk order made in India ? Was it ex-a other loco... ?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4776531117_a84b9cf807.jpg

How much mileage has that motion actually travelled, whilst a wartime product, there's not much older than it on the mainline doing the miles Tangmere does ?, if it came off 34001 and 1.5mn miles before Barry, and what 100k perhaps since ?

Unless there's an RAIB report I guess we won't ever know, or even know if anything in this thread, knocking noise an all is even relevent, WCRC aren't exactly going to put it on there website are they.

All you can do is guess, but others in here suggest you shouldnt even do that.

 

i know WCRC maintains Tangmere but who owns it please?

 

Good question. It was bought from Barry scrapyard by Brian Pickett (have I got that right?). When he died, ownership passed to Ian Riley and John Bunch. Some years ago, Ian sold his share to an un-named individual, who I've seen described as "a business associate of David Smith". It wasn't reported whether or not John Bunch sold some or all of his share at the same time.

 

thanks for the replies

 

Don't know if this helps but we got a letter of apology/explanation this morning from The Railway Touring Co. Quote 'Following a full examination of Tangmere the fault was detected as a damaged big end of the connecting rod resulting in Tangmere being declared a complete failure'. I was on the train with my family. The company were very good on the night keeping us informed. 10/10 to SWT too.

 

Thanks Res47 for the update. Lets hope it's not too long till she is repaired and has a FTR... Which I am sure they might/should do?! Does anyone know if she has to go back up North for the repairs?

 

That makes more sense than a little end failure, given the little that we know of what happened. Dropping a rod at the little end would have had a far more disastrous potential than a dropped big end. If the cylinder/crosshead/slide bar assembly has survived intact, which looking at the video, it appears to have, then the damage is going to be a lot more limited, probably just the rod and crankin. Oh, and the track/3rd rail.

But I'm speculating!

 

John Bunch still has his share in Tangmere,