Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

i do find it odd that these big water carriers are trundling around on Preserved lines when they would be much more use on an appropriate mainliner... Similarly 73096 would have a quite substantial 'range' if it had a BR1F
Some kind of tender swopshop is required, better get Noel Edmunds on the blower.

 

That would explain the Bulleid tender tank that was sat on the ground at the back of Loughborough shed for some years whilst 35025 was there then.

 

Don’t forget 73096 doesn’t have a genuine BR Standard tender. The tender tank was made back in the late 80s/early 90s and the chassis comes from a Jubilee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BR_Standard_Class_5_73096

 

Has anyone heard anything from the 35025 and 35011 crowd of late?

 

No!

CW:

 

I don't think there's been any activity on 35025's website for a year, nearly, but 35011's people do post the occasional pictorial update, but the work appears to be going very slowly (lack of funds and facilities, i presume) as everything just appears to be taking back the rust and painting it.

 

Time to pick the Bulleid collective brain again...
Some of the MN's (and maybe the wc/bbs too ?)had their trailing trucks fabricated rather than cast as a component. Did any of these survive on preservation Locos ? were/are there any problems with them ?

 

As originally built, the first twenty MNs were given one-piece cast steel trailing trucks, which were of delta-pattern and had three-point suspension, spring side control and the weight transmitted through sliding pads. The final (BR) batch were given fabricated steel-plate versions to further reduce weight. According to Bradley, these were exchanged between locomotives from 1953 (probably around the time 35020 was in the shops with its fractured crank-axle), so that the earlier batches were sometimes fitted with them in the shops. Apparently, one was fitted to 35001, so it is certainly feasible that one or more of the preserved MNs have the fabricated version. As to which ones, I am unsure.

Edit: I am unsure, but that of 35009 looks like a cast version. See what you think here:

http://www.rileyandson.co.uk/html/35009_.html

However, I have a feeling that that currently fitted to 35011 is a strong contender for being a fabricated trailing truck when you see the picture on:

http://www.generalsteamnavigation.co.uk/

Have a look at the Spring 2011 update, and you'll see that the trailing truck has a decidedly boxy appearance more akin to sheets welded together than casting. In fact, look at the Summer 2010 gallery, and you'll see almost certain proof that it is indeed a fabricated trailing truck.

 

Thanks MR BP, you are right. IF it follows that a BR Standard trailing truck design was based on those of the bulleid pacific, then one of these should also be able to be fabricated.... and an existingexample is available for guidance...

 

35011 has the only surviving fabricated trailing truck. All the other preserved MN's have cast ones from the first twenty engines.



However, I have a feeling that that currently fitted to 35011 is a strong contender for being a fabricated trailing truck when you see the picture on:

http://www.generalsteamnavigation.co.uk/

Have a look at the Spring 2011 update, and you'll see that the trailing truck has a decidedly boxy appearance more akin to sheets welded together than casting. In fact, look at the Summer 2010 gallery, and you'll see almost certain proof that it is indeed a fabricated trailing truck.[/QUOTE]

 

Thanks for that.

 

Received the latest SR today, there is an interesting article about the light pacific rebuilding programme. Although it mainly concerns 34051 & how it narrowly missed rebuilding, it goes on to say that there was a lull between March 1959 & summer of 1960 whilst more funds were acquired. During this time all unrebuilt light pacifics were given normal overhauls as they visited Eastleigh. These included 34051 & 34081 (you could of had a rebuilt 34081 Spamcan81!). Also interesting that ex Barry preserved 34007/92/105 were all given overhauls in 1962, 34007 in December of that year. Basically they must of been in reasonable condition when withdrawn. Finally there is a picture of 34059 on the Bluebell which has been "digitally re-mastered" as a rebuilt 34051!

 

You just beat me to it. It is a very interesting article indeed. Also mentions that 34067 and 34072 being close to being rebuilt as well as 34051 and 34081. Says they were extremely close to being rebuilt.

 

34070 also came pretty close with 34067 as well. Most interesting is that the now stored hulk of 34073 came very close to rebuilding but was it was prevented by the overrunning of an unscheduled overhaul of 34045 by 5 weeks (whilst still unrebuilt, rebuilt shortly afterwards). Even more ironic is that 34045 is one of only a couple of Bulleids to be cut up at Barry.
Just also seen further in SR there is a picture of 34067 in BR days at Salisbury shed about 18 months before withdrawal. Interesting comparison to what it is now.

 

Wonder if WCRC will give Tangmere's nameplates the 34059 treatment (i.e. paint them black) as they appear in the picture.

 

That's a very good question, all the colour rail photos I've seen of Tangers show that in BR days it seem to only carry the black background nameplates.

 

I think the other one was 34094 Mortehoe. Such a shame, but considering there are 20 light pacifics still surviving, I think we Bulleid fanatics are pretty damn lucky in the grand scheme of things. One I wish was 'rescued' from the scraplines was 35001 Channel Packet, which went to Swansea for scrapping.

 

The more i read the more convinced i am that the rebuilt BB/wc's were the main reason that no more Brits and clans we're built and the more puzzled i am that it took them so long to start rebuilding them. Im not decrying the original form but its clear the standards commitee didn't like Bulleids ideas and yet we're a little in awe of him perhaps thats why they didn't get stuck in sooner. The rebuilding merely took an outstanding, but ultimately temperamental locomotive and turned into a solid workaday one. Had steam continued (here we go again) then the design shortcomings of the Larger standard classes would have been increasingly problematic and, despite the extra work involved in the building and maintanence of them , the superiority of the three cylinder engine would have become apparent

 

Watching a B&R DVD some time ago. The narrator states that BR was considering making another batch of Clans for the Southern region. But why would the southern region need more pacific’s for? There was also talk of LMS Coronations being sent south to work on the southern region after the miss hap with 35020 Bibby Line but listening to the B&R DVD this was ruled out because of the tunnel roof height was to low at Southampton.

 

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