Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

For those interested, there are a few pictures of the wiring-up of 34046's OTMR equipment on the WSR.org website. Its not common to see the intricacies of this equipment close-up, but I have to say having seen the photographs, I couldn't even begin to contemplate doing it without an instruction manual!

 

I'm hoping this link works for all to see incase nobody can see/find it? http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Latest pictures&t=newspix

 

There's more wiring there than in my house!!!
No wonder Tornado has its box of tricks on the underside of the cab roof, out of the way.

 

surprised to see so much abbreviations --galore wiring on 34046 -- wasn't aware she did mainline ?

 

OTMR = On-Train Monitoring Recorder, a device that records 'events' in similar fashion to a 'Black Box' on an aircraft. This is required for mainline running, which is what 34046 is being prepped for.

 

Ref: those pics of Braunton's new wiring.
The box under the drivers' seat is the TPWS junction box. The yellow thick wires are the four core screened cables for the TPWS aerials. One under the bogie, the other under the rear of the tender. It looks like the OTMR is already wired to the TPWS JB. 14 OTMR feeds from TPWS.

I have just wired & fitted TPWS and done a lot of the OTMR installation on a different loco. If anyone wondered how I knew.
BTW, its not rocket science. Quite old fashioned really - one wire does one thing at a time!

 

Reading one of the popular railway magazines last month. There is talk about Network Rail making a tracking device compulsory on all main line locos and units.

 

They've already got a tracking device - its called track circuits. Oh, hang on; NR are getting rid of Track Circuits and replacing it with axle counters.

 

One thing I do have to ask regarding the wiring; And I hope I don't sound too stupid? But does the wiring/box ever melt under extreme temperatures from a Steam loco; hence ever fail the loco? I've seen the wiring between the loco and tender in the past (Nothing like I've seen on 34046)
Do they fit the wiring in some kind of Flexi-cable (Heat resistant) for running on the mianline?

 

If its anything like a normal computer, I would have thought it would feature its own cooling fan. Maybe Twr12 can confirm this?

 

Perhaps you mean the fitment of GSM-R cab radios to replace [eventually] current requirements for NRN and/or CSR radios?
Believe it will take some time to 'roll out' GSM-R over the whole network so non-route-specific traction, like steam locos, may well need GSM-R in addition to its current radio(s).

 

Reading SR magazine today. There is a good possibility that 35022 Holland Amerika Line could return to the main line at some point in the future. There has also been movement on 35009 Shaw Savill with Mr Riley also starting to work on this loco. With any luck we could have MN passing each other on the LSWR main line once again?

 

Is there enough work on the main line for them all is what I wonder. We are currently seeing a big increase in prospective main line express engines and there must be a limit to what the railtour market can soak up.

 

well, the ones the mainline can't handle can always come to preserved lines!:smile:
owners of 35006 have got the right idea

 

They do seem to be bulletproof compared to some other locos. I know there was an issue with 35028 Clan Line last year. But Bulleid pacific’s do seem to behave them self’s on the main line. 34067 Tangmere was also a well behaved loco on the main line and was seen all over the network. Which stands them in good stead with tour operators?

 

How many heritage lines can make sensible use of a West Country/Battle of Britain pacific, let alone a Merchant Navy. Even the Mid Hants is giving priority to Barry wreck 75079 ahead of the far more complete "Canadian Pacific" - that must say something!

 

I think you will find that is because 75079 has not steamed yet in preservation. Although I do feel that 35005 should go into the workshop for overhaul soon.

 

I don,t think so Andy.

remember that 75079 is a volunteer project, and by their very nature will usually undertake a project of choice .

Regards
Chris:

 

That sounds more contradictory than justifying though! Surely a complete, recently steamed, loco is more straightforward to overhaul rather than the total 'ground up' restoration of a Barry wreck...?

In all seriousness though I'm pleased to see a start being made on 75079 - there aren't enough of the Standard 4MT 4-6-0s working in preservation at the moment and it'll be a fantastic asset to the MHR's future steam fleet.

 

seeing as railways can make use of 8fs, 9fs and WDs there may be a bit more room in there for 2 or 3 merchants. besides, they don't have to be on preserved lines all the time, just somewhere to give them a workout when out of the mainline season and for running in after repairs and/or overhauls. lines like the nymr, mid hants and elr can give them sharp short workouts with their line lengths and gradients, and i believe the caulden lowe branch on the churnet valley can put 71000 and 34028 through their paces with 1 in 40 climbs.

EDIT: just found out that Caulden Lowe branch isn't normally part of CVR, my bad