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35011 General Steam Navigation

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by GSN, May 15, 2015.

  1. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    Yes, as a motorcyclist, chain adjustment is a subject close to my heart (well, wallet, which is almost the same), a tensioner isn't hard to do.

    I'd love to see it with gears, but I'll he happy either way.

    Tbh, I think rebuilds look nicer, but variety is the spice of life
     
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  2. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    I seem to recall reading (I can't seem to lay my hand on where exactly right now) that when the first Light Pacific was rebuilt, that very little of the original engine was reused beyond boiler & firebox minus smokebox, and wheel sets. As the boilers and tenders were interchangeable, were just wheel sets and axles/crank & bogie/pony carried over from original engine?
    Would it therefore be right to assume that the same had been true of the MN rebuilds? Would new frames and cylinders have been used for instance when 35018 was first de-canned?
     
  3. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Tensioning chain drives is relatively easy when the drive is uni-directional. It gets a lot harder when the drive is bi-directional. Things are not made any easier by the fact that on of the sprockets is on a floating axis (the driving axle) which not only goes up and down but also rotates slightly relative to the other sprocket. A similar problem exists with gear drives, which is why diesel and electric locos generally have nose suspended motors, having a fixed geometry with the axle.
     
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  4. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    But if the anticipated wear was such that system only needed a service every 120,000 miles... ?
     
  5. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    IIRC Correctly frames and outside cylinders were kept, though a new inside cylinder was required...
     
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  6. Richard Roper

    Richard Roper Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, I wasn't keeping up there!

    Richard.
     
  7. fergusmacg

    fergusmacg Resident of Nat Pres

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    And you can see that (not my photo of GSN) on the cylinders there is a cover where the original rocker (if that's the right word) came through from the inside valve gear to actuate the piston valves - obviously no longer needed with outside valve gear.

    upload_2020-11-20_16-39-53.png
     
  8. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    Yes you're right and I'm frustrated that I can't seem to find the article that from memory, discussed the rebuild of 34005 Barnstaple at Eastleigh in 1957 and how the loco leaving was virtually a new build compared to when it entered the works as a spam can? I'm sure it will turn up after I've typed this. :)

    Anyway, on the subject of MNs my 1974 copy of D.W.Winkworth's account of the Bullieds does state that main alterations were the removal of the steam reverser, the substitution of three sets of Walschaerts' valve gear for the chain-driven gear and the de-frocking of the can. Quote - the cylinder arrangements remained unchanged in principle although new inside cylinder was cast having inside admission and the steam chest offset to one side. This was a steel casting with cast-iron liners for cylinders and steam chests.
    The outside cylinders were retained with outside admission to save costs and required the use of a high-pressure gland for the valve spindle and 'special measures' to translate the actuation from the plane of the valve gear to the steam-chest centre line.
    Maximum cut-off was increased from 70% to 75% and some changes were applied to the super-heater. A new rocking grate and ash-pan design was applied and sanding gear on the tender was removed. The working weight of the locomotive increased by around 3 tons when redesigned and adhesion factor increased from 3.76 to 4.34.
     
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  9. S.A.C. Martin

    S.A.C. Martin Part of the furniture

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    Just for clarity - having not read the report, I was basing it on my more limited knowledge of the Bulleids. I apologise if anything was inferred by my comments with regards GNLRS - I had no intention to (and as you know Graham, I am supportive of the project!) - nevertheless, you have my apologies.
     
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  10. Graham Muz

    Graham Muz New Member

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    Hi Simon

    Thank you, and yes your support of project is appreciated, my reply was more to ensure the correct details were put on record on here.
    As Simon S said we look forward to showing you around at Blunsdon the home of No.11
     
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  11. siquelme

    siquelme Well-Known Member

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    #OnThisDay in 1944 an unnamed General Steam Navigation entered service with the Southern Railway. To celebrate the 76th anniversary, the General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society are delighted to announce in partnership with Bossman Games we have commissioned a regulator handle that will one day drive 35011 forward. Whilst this is many years away from happening in real life thanks to Bossman Game who are currently developing an original condition Merchant Navy for Train Simulator you’ll soon be able to drive a virtual GSN. The locomotives will be available in early 2021 hot on the heels of the highly successful rebuilt Merchant Navy model released in summer 2020. The Society would like to thank both Bossman Games for their financial contribution towards the regulator handle and Leaky Finders Ltd who produced another excellent component for us.

    You can find out more about Bossman Games by visiting their website www.bossmangames.co.uk and for more on the General Steam Navigation please visit our website www.35011GSN.co.uk

    Thank you
     

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  12. siquelme

    siquelme Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]

    #OnThisDay in 1955 General Steam Navigation entered the Eastleigh works for a heavy intermediate overhaul. It was during these works when her cast trailing truck she was built was changed for the fabricated design she still has. The fabricated design was fitted to the final ten Merchant Navy’s with the first being 35021 New Zealand Line with 35011s being the last remaining example with all fellow surviving Merchant Navys having the earlier cast design. The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society aims to restore this unique component in 2021.

    This is your chance to be part of an exclusive club and aid the overall restoration of General Steam Navigation by becoming a Trailing Truck Transformer.
    The Trailing Truck was removed from the frames at the same time as the successful boiler lift on 2nd October. The estimate for the full refurbishment and overhaul of the Trailing Truck by specialist contractors is £15,000.

    We are offering a maximum of 30 members the opportunity to purchase a 'Lot' for £500. Members are welcome to purchase as many 'Lots' as they wish up to the maximum target amount.

    Benefits

    Members of the Fund Group would receive a number of benefits including:
    • Certificate of membership of the 'Trailing Truck Transformers'
    • Name engraved on a suitable brass plaque attached to the refurbished Trailing Truck
    • Regular updates on the refurbishment of the Trailing Truck
    • An invitation to a VIP day at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway to see the completed Trailing Truck once it is returned to the railway.

    The work

    With the trailing truck now removed from GSN, we have undertaken an assessment of the work that will be required to restore it to mainline running standards. This will involve a full strip down to allow us to understand the condition of the frame metal work, which is likely to require non-destructive testing to determine the soundness of the existing material.

    The axle will also require removing, but depending on which contractors we decide to use for the overall work we may need to remove this at Blunsdon to enable it to be sent separately for repair with the wheels being re-profiled; whilst the axle bearings will also need assessing and possibly refurbishing. The frames will also require sandblasting to remove all the old flaking material and paint, with the corroded sections of the framework and rear platform being cut out and replaced with new material. Finally the framework, axle and wheels will need to be primed, undercoated and painted prior to being re-assembled.

    How to join

    You can join The Trailing Truck Transformers Club in several ways:
    1. By making a single donation. Please fill in the form on our website (https://35011gsn.co.uk/funding-campaigns/trailing-truck-club.html) and select the single payment option, complete it and return it to us with a cheque for £500 made payable to “General Steam Navigation CIC” at the address shown. You can also pay through BACS transfer. If you wish to select this option please contact Mr Graham Muspratt at graham.muspratt@35011gsn.co.uk or through the postal address on the form.
    2. Joining through making multiple donations by Standing Order. Please download and fill in the attached form and select the multiple payment option, complete and return it to us.

    With your help the Society can return the trailing truck to its former glory and become the first major component restored for 35011 and a true landmark achievement.
    https://35011gsn.co.uk/funding-campaigns/trailing-truck-club.html

    Other ways to support us.

    We understand that £500 is a lot of money and for people who wish to support the trailing truck but are unable to join the Trailing Truck Transformers club you can help us by donating to our Wheel Set appeal on our JustGiving page here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gsnwheelset

    Alternatively you can make a donation however large or small into our newly launched Putting Funds into the Frames campaign here
    https://35011gsn.co.uk/funding-campaigns/putting-funds-in-the-frames.html
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
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  13. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Member

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    A thought that has just occurred to me - if the aim is to restore 35011 to Mainline running, why has the base of the Swindon Cricklade Railway been chosen? No disrespect meant to the SCR, but as a railway without a mainline connection, it seems an odd home-base railway for a group planning to restore an 8P Pacific to mainline operation. Admittedly, locos like 70013 and 45305 have been mainline locos with their heritage base as the GCR with no mainline connection (which many mainline owner groups would say is not ideal), but the GCR is a mainline-esque heritage railway with the high speed testing capability, whereas the SCR isn't at that level. Is the intention to simply move 35011 in and out of SCR by road once completed, or is it anticipated that a new home base will be found by then? Or does the SCR have plans for an extension to a mainline connection that I'm not aware of?
     
  14. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I suspect the reason for choosing the SCR was simply they were a suitable location that would let them move there that was convenient to members. It's usually easier to find a home for a working (or nearly working) steam loco than it is to find a home for a quite large pile of rusting parts, so you can't be too picky.
     
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  15. siquelme

    siquelme Well-Known Member

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    The engines move to the S&CR was chosen for several reasons and was by far the best deal we had. The engine once restored will run on the line as part of our deal but will leave for mainline running before returning at the end of her ticket for several more running sessions.
     
  16. 32110

    32110 Member

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    Couldn't a lot of this be done by volunteers, especially the work on the truck frames, at minimal cost?
     
  17. siquelme

    siquelme Well-Known Member

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    The work described is everything that will be done on the trailing truck. We'll be doing as much work on site as possible before it's sent away for the final jobs by the contractors. Sadly Covid has put a huge delay on our work as ideally we'd like to have stripped it adown and back by now. Certain sections have been badly corroded and will need replacing, the axle boxes need overhauling and such jobs will be done by the specialist.
     
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  18. siquelme

    siquelme Well-Known Member

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  19. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    Where will be the plan to run it. I spoke to a man that knew about them at the glostershire and w railway and he said they need a good length to go on. And that not many railways are interest in them as the don’t have line long enough. They also use a lot of coal just
     
  20. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Seriously - this was already answered just 4 posts before yours! Please, please, please, stop posting on every thread with these bizarre statements - read what has been said before, think about how your comments might be interpreted by people associated with the railway/project and think if you're actually adding anything worthwhile to the topic.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2021
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