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'Antwerp'-restoration update-Back to the Future with Porta's GPCS.

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Austerity, Jan 16, 2013.

  1. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the update on "Wheldale" Richard, glad to see that she will be receiving some attention.

    I remember the Driver at Wheldale colliery, that would be Colin. Colin's method of driving would perhaps alarm most preservationists, but it would have been typical for many industrial railway sites. At least he was very much a Steam Man. I first met Colin at Glasshoughton in the mid-seventies and was more than delighted to bump into him again at Wheldale in - i think that it was 1982 - very happy days, especially as there were other Austerities in intermittent use at Chapeltown Coking Plant and, best of all, Bickershaw Colliery.

    Cheers

    Alan
     
  2. 242A1

    242A1 Well-Known Member

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    Interesting project. The design was tested at Swindon. Maximum evaporation was doubled and the maximum power outout was a little under 900hp. It would be very interesting to refine the design - a version of the drench system to prevent the fire creeping back would be worth considering. I wonder what is happening to "Fred" ex-Worth Valley and now, I believe, at Tyseley?
     
  3. Avonside1563

    Avonside1563 Well-Known Member

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    Alan, it was indeed Colin Davies and he was at Embsay for many years(not sure if he's still there), having learnt to tame his driving style to something more suited to preservation. I remember being at Embsay at one of Wheldale's first steamings there and I'm sure the stoker was working then, might be mistaken though.
     
  4. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    On Martyn Bane's webpage:
    Austerity 0-6-0st type as modified by L.D.Porta & Hunslet
    there are some photos of "what is believed to be the only remaining underfeed stoker".

    [​IMG]
    from http://www.martynbane.co.uk/modernsteam/ldp/austerity/portaausterity.htm

    As the photo caption is dated the same as another photo of Wheldale, I'm assuming the stoker is also at Embsay. Not sure which loco it came off, or if it was ever used.

    Richard
     
  5. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that Nigel, where has the past 30 years gone!!

    Cheers

    Alan
     
  6. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    Having had many a good trip on 'Fred' at the KWVR in the early 70's and being intrigued by the remnants of its GPCS system, it's great to hear that an fellow Austerity might be restored with these features re-instated (not-withstanding the comments made here). I also has a few trips on the Smtihywood (Chapeltown) coking plant locos - my were they run down! Got some (awful) photos somewhere, will post later.

    Where is the restoration taking place plse?

    Smithywood 1972/3

    img046_edited.jpg img048_edited.jpg img045_edited.jpg img047_edited.jpg
     
  7. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    I think the Antwerp group should be encouraged to refit an underfeed stoker - we should have at least one working example.
     
  8. Anthony Coulls

    Anthony Coulls Well-Known Member

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    Interesting to see this, we have the underfeed stoker off Coal Products aka. Lord Phil as part of the National Collection

    S102 "Cathryn" at Ecclesbourne is still fitted with a twin trough stoker and I have suggested to the guys there that it would be lovely if she could be put back into steam with a working stoker and GPCS.
     
  9. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the photos of Smithywood Sheff, very atmospheric, the one of the loco working past the engine shed is particularly "gritty" and evocative of a now sorely missed and vanished World.

    Cheers

    Alan
     
  10. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    Glad to bring back the memories. My mate Fred from the KWVR and me used to con our way in, telling the gate-man we were the driver's nephews, delivering him his snap :) I think they had two loco's left at this time (maybe 3?) but only one was operational, the other had a (frost?) damaged regulator (and if there was a third it was completed knackered). IIRC there was also a diesel, but the crew preferred the extra power of the austerity given the loads and gradients. They could shift a rake in one go, whereas they had to split it with the diesel. Also I think there was an electric tramway for moving the wagons under the furnace hot coke discharge chutes? Memory ain't what it was!
     
  11. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I ddin't realise that Cathryn still had its stoker or that it was a twin trough one but I guess it has remained untouched since it left Parkhill so is still in ex NCB condition. I don't think that I ever saw this loco in steam.
     
  12. Austerity

    Austerity Member

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    The stoker possibilities for Antwerp are certainly not cast in stone at the moment or for the foreseeable future. We are open to lobbying on the topic!
     
  13. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    I was wondering earlier where the restoration is taking place plse?
     
  14. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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  15. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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  16. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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  17. Austerity

    Austerity Member

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    It's Sellindge-thought I mentioned it earlier.
     
  18. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    I had a good look but if you did it evaded me sorry.*Too far away for me to lend a hand then, but the one at the EVR sounds interesting.
     
  19. Austerity

    Austerity Member

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    Cheers for the thought!
     

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