No.1 'Talyllyn' suffers damage

It is with sadness that our Loco No.1 'Talyllyn' suffered mechanical damage on Sunday.

Details are at http://talyllyn.co.uk/news/2014-april-locomotive-no1-talyllyn-suffers-damage

Today's update is that our Engineers have looked at the damage sustained to Loco No.1 'Talyllyn' on Sunday. They can confirm that No.1 suffered a broken crank pin on the driver’s side along with a broken coupling rod and badly damaged connecting rod.

 

Can hardly click the "like" button in response to this news! Wish there was a "sympathy" button to use in these circumstances.

PH

 

I seem to remember she shed a crank pin once before, back in the 70's?

 

It did break a crank pin back in the 70's, although I don't think the damage sustained was as bad as this weeks..

 

Replacement parts or are they repairable?

 

It is looking like replacement parts, the damage was quite severe to the rods.

 

Never fun when something like this happens. All the best to getting the repairs done.

 

I thought it was in the 60's but my memory is going. I don't think the rods suffered on that occasion.

Back in the days when John Bate was the Engineer, such things as replacing crankpins and making new rods was almost routine. In fact, weren't the existing rods on No.1 made at Pendre? Memory not certain, though. I'm sure that the TR can rise to the challenge. Best wishes for a speedy return.

 

No 1 broke a crankpin on the fireman's side coming off Pendre shed. Can't remember when exactly (60's or 70's), but I can look it up if anyone really wants to know. A long time ago anyway. There was no other damage on that occasion. There is no connection with the latest unfortunate incident.
The rods on No 1 are the Fletcher Jennings originals. New (and redesigned) rods have been fitted to No's 4, 6 and 7 -in all cases of a heavier pattern, to provide better bearings and lubrication. The rods on No's 1, 2 and 3 are satisfactory in these respects. They may be older loco's but unlike the others they were not "industrial" designs.

 

I too remember the incident with No.1's crankpin when, as you say, coming off shed. I thought it was in the 60's but I can't find any mention of it in JLHB's book, though, and my TR News's are in the loft. I knew the rods on some locos had been replaced as I was involved in part of that work, milling them to profile. Bushes were substituted for split brasses and the crankpins modified, accordingly.
Happy days, when such incidents were challenges to be accepted and overcome.

 

That's interesting - I was under the impression that Nos. 1 and 2 now have very few original parts left. It also makes it all the more disappointing if they have to be replaced - but I suppose that's the price we pay to keep engines running.

 

At the 1958 rebuild, the wheels, rods, some of the motion and various small fittings were refurbished. The frames were also re-used, but as No 1 has since had a further two rebuilds, with extensive modifications to the frames, how much is left of the "originals" is a moot point. These were not, of course, those supplied by Fletcher Jennings. No 1 had at least one new set of frames before the TRPS took over.
No 2 had a similar amount of original parts left after its 1963 rebuild, although in that case completely new frames were provided. Dolgoch does, however, still have the original cylinders.

 

Well I never knew that! Thank you for a very informative reply

 

Porthmadog & Tywyn 14 April 2014: Following an incident on Sunday 6th April 2014 when the motion on the driver's side of Talyllyn Railway Locomotive No.1 was severely damaged following a mechanical failure, the locomotive will be transported to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway's Boston Lodge Works at the end of April where it will be stripped for a full assessment of the damage. The Talyllyn's own engineering department is fully committed to a number of on-going projects.
Assuming that no significant extra damage is found, the Boston Lodge team will then carry out the repairs with the full co-operation of the Talyllyn's engineering department, the aim being to have the locomotive back in service for its 150th Anniversary in September.
The work will be paid for from the Talyllyn Railway's reserve funds although contributions and pledges towards the repair costs are already being received.
Talyllyn General Manager Chris Price said: "We are most grateful to the team at Boston Lodge for making room in their schedule to carry out these emergency repairs to No.1. It is a symbol of the strength of co-operation that exists in the heritage railway community. If all goes according to plan, No.1 will be back to celebrate its 150th Anniversary in September - another milestone in its remarkable career."

 

Update on No.1 'Talyllyn'
http://talyllyn.co.uk/news/2014-april-update-repairs-loco-no1-talyllyn

 

Set of progress reports on No.1 Talyllyn

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152370069135450.1073741836.167680895449&type=1


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A chum is thinking of an Autumn trip and has enquired how the repairs are going and when No.1 Talyllyn is expected back in traffic (it's his favourite). Is there any further news?

Thanks

Patrick

 

Hi Patrick,
No.1 should be back in time for its 150th birthday on 24th September. All is going well at Boston Lodge.


Publicity Officer, Talyllyn Railway

www.talyllyn.co.uk
Twitter - @theworldsfirst

 

Thanks, he was planning to come up for 24th so that's just right!

Patrick

 

Now back on its wheels, waiting for the new rods to arrive, should be in the next week or so. Some additional work completed on the motion.