Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

Wasn't 34046's original cab in a pretty bad state whilst at Barry? Seem to remember seeing pictures of it pretty bashed up, especially the rear "wrap round" parts. Does this mean 34046 has a new cab?

Edit, found this.
http://www.wsrestoration.co.uk/projects/img/brauntonoldlr.jpg

 

Given a lot of new pieces of metal, i gather?
Another Trigger's Broom scenario in the making :lol:

 

Good analogy! The patching and welding seemed to go on forever! We were pretty pleased with the result though-mostly down to the tenacity of Eric Todd. Yes Braunton has a brand new cab. When we started on the original it was somewhat more beaten up than your picture Mr Buseng.

 

Interesting... Good to hear that 34053 managed to take something from 34046, considering that it was mostly the other way round! Wasn't the rocking grate from 34053 used on the WSR's former Pannier? Someone in Williton Works told me that.

 

Beano - General Steam Navigation to be restored to Spamcan condition.... really ? another tug on the pocket money....

 

I hope so. With 10 potentially steamable MNs preserved, it would be a very ambitious, expensive but worthwhile project to restore one to spam can condition.
As little has been done to 35011, it would be an ideal candidate.

 

Wonder if you could design some sort of geared Caprotti type gear in place of the oil bath gubbins? No idea how it would work off the top of my head, but a single primary drive shaft off the centre axle would be the starting point. Then maybe a cross shaft with the eccentrics on? Externally it would still have the appearance of a spamcan, but with grease lubrication etc. Just the ramblings of a fevered mind

 

It wouldn't be an unrebuilt MN then would it.

Using a prop shaft instead of a chain drive would be one thing, and may even be more durable. But to change the valves from piston to poppet would be so radical that it would become an alternative modified version.

 

No, I agree, it wouldn't be an unrebuilt MN with Caprotti stuff crammed into the middle. I wouldn't have thought there was enough room between the frames for all three sets of Caprotti gear. I would say it would make it an new class of locomotive... maybe the 'Bomber Command' class? 37001 'Lord Trenchard'; 37002 'Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt'; 37003 'Sir Charles Portal' etc.

 

Where did I mention changing the valves? I suggested a cross-shaft with ECCENTRICS on it. It was purely the primary drive system I thought might simplify and improve on the Bullied arrangement.

 

Well you sort of did Sheff,. but i know where you are coming from, and i think OVS. B would too... has any one cracked sleeve valves yet (that mind fever is catchy... !)
But; id be just as interested to see whether the 22nd century can come up with:
a better constructed oil tight 'tub' with enough flex in it, or in its mountings, to stop it cracking /leakin
with electrically powered warming apperatus ( acouple of fish tank heaters ?) to eliminate condensation and therefore water build up
More robust chains with more effective tensioning. In other words a better realisationof the designers intentions...
And im really interested in that little bit of 'valance' in front of the cylinders, that really does it for me...though not quite as much as Holly whats it
Dont even care which shade of blue they paint it.....

 

I would say it would make it an new class of locomotive... maybe the 'Bomber Command' class? 37001 'Lord Trenchard'; 37002 'Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt'; 37003 'Sir Charles Portal' etc.

How about 'Battle of Britain Runner Up Class' -- 'HERMAN GOERING'

 

Plenty of successful sleeve valve engines in aircraft but a successful application in the steam world doesn't spring to mind.

 

Bomber Command veterans haven't received a Campaign Medal because of political correctness, so I'd stick with my original choice. What they did may not have been 'nice', but then again, neither were the V1 or V2 rockets, and potentially the V3 'London Gun' if it became operational (the fact that Germany had developed Sarin nerve gas in 1938 makes the potential for loss of life if the V3 ever got into service very hard to contemplate). Over 50,000 airmen died in taking the war to the then enemy in what amounted to one, two and four-engined metal tubes, and they have every right to be remembered in the same breath as those who fell within the Army, Navy and Fighter Command. Personal soap-box time over...

 

The only way i can see this happening is if the parts from the unrestored BB at bury get canabalised to provide the parts , ie crank axle and chain gear the sheer cost will be eye watering and its going to need one hell of an fund raising exercise, but given that there is no dought support for un rebuilding a MN i dont want to see this start off in a blase of glory to come to nothing because the money isnt there.
Then comes another problem what to do with the loco once restored, how many railways can afford to run an MN you cant just run Mainline all the time, unless you have a rail connected depot and overhaul base sorry but i cant see this running on the Folkestone branch the coal bill alone would bancrupt anyone

 

Very, very well said.

 

Coming down the M40 last night I saw a very tired and faded Bulleid tender on a low loader going North. Which one was this anyone?

 

Was reported elsewhere that 35018 was on the move northin the last few days