6023

I'd think it kept time on the uphil sections, more-or-less, but lost time hand-over-fist everywhere else! I wonder how far it had to go? Hopefully, something more suitable was found at Newton Abbott.

 

Balance weights

When I first enquired about the possibilty of borrowing the spare ste of wheels from the SVRA it was mentioned that the center balance weights would need changing
If you look at Manor and a 51/53 the difference is obvious, the weight is there to compensate for the longer and heavier conrod ( i think )
The drawing for this does exsist as i did have it, it requies two plates to be made up and riveted on and a certain weight of lead to be poured into each spoke gap
Thats all i know and i am not spaeaking for the 6880 society
I find it Strange how its never been mentioned on the website/newsletter/ press relases as it is a very significant modification that needs to be carried out

 

It is indeed to do with the longer connecting rods. The balancing of loco's normally encompasses 2 components, the rotative balance to take account of the out of balance rotative forces caused by off centre mass of the crankpin and associated hub quarter piece, and then the reciprocating balance which takes account of a proportion of the reciprocating mass of the piston, piston rod, crosshead and connecting rod. In this instance the 10ft 8 ins rod is quite a bit heavier than the 6ft 10ins rod fitted to the 2-6-0's and 2-6-2T's and therefore requires additions to the balance weights to compensate.

Regards
Bob

 

Thanks Bob

I only wrote ( I think ) because knowing this forum either someone is going to correct you or agree, thankfully your explanation is the latter, and gives an excellent scienctific description of why those balance weights need to be changed
Thanks will

 

A news update at the 6023 website March 24th

24.03.2012
6023's return to steam will take a little longer, as some very specialist work has to be done on the fabric of the inner firebox seams. On the positive side, the vacuum pump is back inside the frames (a very difficult manoeuvre when the boiler is on and the engine is largely complete). This will be reconnected on 31.3.

 

I visited Didcot today and was shocked to see 6023 dumped and winterised 60's style on one of the turntable roads. I also noted that all the cab gauges have been removed as well.
I understand there is work outstanding on the locomotive, but surely they could have stored her in a more suitable location! Even if space in the running shed is at a premium why not in the transfer shed there is plenty of room in there to keep her out of the weather and to prevent further damage being done.

What a way to treat such an iconic locomotive, especially after such a long overhaul.


Very sad and disappointing indeed.

Great Western

 

If you put it in the standard gauge side that effectively one demonstration line out of action and if you put it in the mixed gauge side, where would Fire Fly live ?.

 

I'm sure if it could go undercover it would do, sticking it in any available shed may not be conducive to getting it running again. I doubt it is suffering that much during this short spell outside. Also if things like the gauges have been removed then that means they are less likely to get stolen.

 

What with this & the recent picture of 4920 on here (and many others as well), it makes you wonder if these locos were worth rescuing from Barry?

 

With regards to the transfer shed, Im sure there is enough room to stored it right down the Oxford end of the STD gauge side and still have room for RC22 or the Autotrain, as the latter isnt allowed the loco in the shed.

The removal of gauges does make sense. It just seems to the me that some people at Didcot seem to have issues with 6023 if the rumours are to be believed. As an outsider Im lost as to what is going on and why with the loco. I think the boiler needs work?

Regards
Great Western.

 

:thumb:
To give the 6023 guys some credit, the loco has spent all of the winter up on jacks to enable the under keep mods to be carried out as well as other work, for the reason above. The 6023 team, as they have done for the main part of the restoration, only work one Saturday every fortnight, so give 'em a break and be patient. I might be wrong, but I believe the jacks only came out from underneath in the last week or two. I understand there is still contract work on the boiler to be finished. They keep themslves pretty much to them selves, but I expect one of them will post updates at some time if not on here, on their own website. As to sticking 6023 in the transfer shed, how would you feel about carrying all the tools and equipment 1/4 mile from the works before you even start to do anything? No pit, trying to jack on sleepered track,... I think not. Good luck guys, you'll get there,... when you're ready.
http://www.6023.co.uk/news/news.htm

 

Thanks for the show of support pannier man, something that has been quite lacking over the past few months.

The reason she is out on the turntable spur is indeed due to the filming in October, we had to get the loco in the air to get the the keeps out for modification and once she was on the jacks then there was no chance of moving her. The other plus with this was that there is better light and having a cleaner pit to work in as opposed to those in the shed which have had many years of oily steam engine over them.

To bring you all up to date a little:
Vaccum pump refitted following many hours of investigation as to why it wouldnt play
Centre and trailing axlebox keeps removed, modified and refitted. This is no mean task as any other GW 4 cylinder maintainer can tell you!
Work continues on the OTMR and TPWS etc.
The mainline roof is nearing completion.
The contractor is still beavering away on the required boilerworks which has turned into far more than anybody expected.

Please be a little patient with us, we are too biting at the bit to get her steaming again but we are reliant on how quickly the boiler can be handed back following repair.
I will try and keep some updates on here, rest assured she will be back.

 

Well done that man - haste ye back - the more in blue the better!

 

Nice to hear something positive from those at heart of the matter.
I personally and I guess a good few others get fed up of some of the knowalls bitching ad infinitum.
Be nice to see this very impressive loco working before too much longer.

Cheers Dave

 

Thanks for the update, good to hear some positive news. Wish you all the best of luck with the project, it must be disheartening to run into problems after all the hard work put in, but it will great to see her back again. Saw the loco on railmotor launch day and it looked fantastic

 

Thanks for the update.. and well done and keep up the good work.

Thanks

Stan

 

Hope the work keeps on going well are there proposals for the loco going for eunning in any a presevrved line and how long will the loco be staying blue which i must say makes it looked better.