45596 Bahamas

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Hi. GREAT to see such support for our plans for 45596. Please look at our web site - www.45596BAHAMAS.co.uk - for info re STEAM'S LAST BLAST Appeal and how you can support the project. The overhaul will not start until the overhaul of the National Trust's Coal Tank 1054 has been completed towards the end of 2011 and until we have enough £ in the bank. £400k needed with c£115k in hand at the beginning of the Appeal.
45596 WILL operate in green and will continue to be based on the KWVR and although able to operate over most of the UK will hopefully become a regular performer over the S&C.
Our Jubilee is unique in that it was the testbed for the FINAL experiment undertaken by BR in its quest to improve the performance of its steam fleet.
Any enquiries can be directed to me as I am co-ordinating the Appeal. jrh@johnhillier.co.uk - 01572 747706

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

wonderful news if only it could be double headed with the compound

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

It would be good to see 'Bahamas' steam again, but what was the nature of the experiment? The double chimney came off another loco.

Regards

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Not quite correct. The draughting experiments took place at Rugby Testing Station using 45722 Defence. Various modifications were carried out to the single chimney and blastpipe, culminating in the fitting of a double chimney and blastpipe. The double chimney used was very basic with no outer casing. The tests proved succesful. 45596 was the only beneficiary of these tests, being converted to double blastpipe and chimney.
As for being a second hand chimney, I cannot see that being the case. It was unique, not the same dimensions as the chimnies on 5735 and 5736.

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

45596 was definitely the last! All our research at the NRM and Kew etc shows that the VERY final experiment undertaken BR to improve steam performance was undertaken under Experiment M/C/L 1542 dated 9 June 1961 which states 'Modified Draughting. 45596/12B is fitted with a modified chimney and blast pipe arrangement with a view to improving the steaming conditions. The Rugby tests (45722) took place in 1956/57. You may have seen a letter from john Barrance in the latest issue of SR; I anticipate that the mag will contain a detailed response plus reference to the rugby trials/Defence etc in a forthcoming issue. 2011 is the 50th anniversary of the fitting of the double chimney (in May 1961) and we are currently having a new one cast.

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

If there's still £285,000 to raise before work starts, as implied in the post above, I think it is probably fair to say that it's going to be a while before we see 45596 running again!

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

You will have seen from the web site that 2015 is our target date to get 45596 operating again but that this depends on the £ being available. The BLS is a small group but our members have raised £115k so far and we started the public appeal STEAM'S LAST BLAST in order to raise the profile of the appeal. The announcement has produced considerable support, financial and otherwise, and it is obvious that there is a clamour to get BAHAMAS out again. Yes £285k is a fairly large sum but it is small in relation to some projects. We have been encouraged to the response we have had so far to the appeal but we clearly need more supporters....so please help! The BLS web site has full details about the Appeal and the benefits being offerered to donors. We are not just targetting enthusiasts in our appeal but are seeking support from a variety of other supporters. We believe we owe it to those of us who began the Society in 1967 but who are sadly no longer with us to get our engine running again and, whilst accepting at the moment, our target seems along way off, we believe we will succeed in our objective. All our 'working efforts' at the moment are dedicated to finishing the 'Coal Tank' which will turn a lot of heads when it emerges from Ingrow before too long....and then work will start on stripping 45596 if we have enough cash....so your support will be appreciated and acknowledged.

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Its an ill wind.. but with Leander rumoured to be retiring early there will be an upsurge in demand ?

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Well who knows if galatea Will be running by then. Not that i know anything about how its doing.

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

I know the circumstances are different for 5596, but the A1SLT managed to fund £3 million in 18 years and this equals out to £166,666 per year. So THEORETICALLY (but highly unlikely), the BSL could raise the money in approximately two years?
Ha! Do excuse me for my arrogance! I hope we see 5596 soon.
Henners

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Were they a success ?
Does Bahamas have a 'roar' like Leander does ?
Shes a beautiful looking Machine and will be happy to drop something in next time im at Ingrow...

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Have a look at this video. A very vocal loco I think you will find!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoZQLktXiao

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

?video.

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

I called in at Oakworth today and externally it looks in quite good condition. The driving wheels look as though they will need new tyres or reprofiling. Obviously when stripped the full extent of overhaul will come to light.

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Is this the video? www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoZQLktXiao&feature=related

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

When did it move and where is it at Oakworth?

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Was near the back of the exhibition shed at Oxenhope on Thursday....

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Got my places mixed up, many apologies for confusion..............a senior moment....

 

Re: Bahamas...full steam aheadfor bid to restore classic engine

Bahamas does have a decent "Jubilee" exhaust sound when working hard because the exhaust arrangement does not include a Kylchap system, just a simple double blastpipe. On the question of the chimney, apparently it came from 45742 from which it was removed in 1955.

I well remember Bahamas active in the 1960s/1970s, and as a Bahamas Loco Society member in those days I recall its use at Dinting. One day I recall helping when a party of junior school children visited Dinting from my wife's school in Sheffield. Amazing how many youngsters you could get ( safely) on the footplate for a trip up the Dinting tracks! ( Pre- H & S days I suppose....)

Incidentally, whilst I think the double chimney does spoil the loco's looks somewhat, I do recall discussing the reasoning behind the revised draughting arrangements with the people at Dinting, and recall the comment that Bahamas "uses less water" than a single chimney Jubilee, so I guess that translates into the double blastpipe and chimney making the boiler that bit more efficient in active service. std tank will probably have some data to back this claim.

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