Locomotive Management including Cylinder Cocks

The DB 044's (3-cyl 2-10-0) of Bw Ottbergen used to sit at the head of their 1500 tonne freights, especially at night, with the cocks open for about 10 minutes before departure, in order to warm the cylinders. This ensured a faultless trip over the Eggegebirge to Altenbeken, and onwards down to Hamm, but was useless for night-photography! (T-i-c)

On the subject of slipping, northbound departures on the curve from Platform 9N at York were always interesting, as the rails were usually wet from the water column mounted in the station roof.

 

To say that the driver of BP 'did nothing to shut the regulator' is a tad unfair. As I understand it the thing had carried a lot of water over during the initial violent slip, this makes it virtually impossible to close the regulator until the water has dispersed. Also, again as I understand it, the driver had broken his wrist or arm during his initial attempt to stop the reverser going into full gear, so all in all it was a bit of a struggle on the footplate.

As far as 4464 goes, I was on the support crew for that run...nothing untoward was reported about the start from Peterborough so unfortunately for the conspiracy theorists - nothing to see here.

Probably just finishing his tea.....

 

Saying that the driver did nothing to shut the regulator is fact. The reasons why he did nothing are a different matter. It is also fact that the driver had been reminded on several occasions previously by the NELPG rep to put the catch in. British Rail accepted the responsibility for the incident and they simply provided the crew, nothing else. The unfortunate thing is that the f/side regulator handle had been removed as a supposed safety measure. If it had been there, others might have been able to do something. I say might and not could.

 

Perhaps it would have been better if you had said that 'because of incapacity the driver did nothing etc.' I think he did his best given the lack of training and familiarity with the thing and it would appear steam locos in general.

 

This is a perfect case of needing to open the taps. Serious priming so the driver opens up even more. There is hardly a recognisable beat towards the end of the video.

This is mismanagement.

 

Someone who is seemingly oblivious to a loco starting to prime and doing nothing about it shouldn't be let out with a pram let alone a steam engine. There is only one way of dealing with the situation and that is to partially shut the regulator and open the drain cocks. When she has 'settled' down you can gradually open up again. If some of these so called 'drivers' had to fix (at their expense) the damage caused, or if it was their own engine, they might be more careful. It does call into question the whole business of training and 'passing out' and I am sure that it is not just at the NNR where such things happen. Ray.

 

Who removed the fireman's side regulator? Was this something BR at the time insisted on or was it much earlier on?

 

60009 has had her fireman's side handle removed too, but AFAIK none of the other A4s have. I believe it was removed after nearly clouting John Cameron in the head!

 

In late 1994, we did a footplate day at Tyseley with 4472, and Roland Kennington took over from Bob Meanley part way through.

We asked him about the incident, and he dissected what happened, and provided a great insight in the situation on the footplate, and the hopelessness of the situation.

I have this on a video tape, but have no means of transferring it to Youtube unfortunately, it is "gold" regarding this thread.

As Steve also mentions, the driver had been warned about his method of driving without the reverser catch engaged between Newcastle and Durham as well.

 

Al you can see the solid white plume start and then the constant roar. Once the taps have been opened you can see the exhaust change from solid to a clear space between chimney and exhaust. Professional management. Even so, it is a rather nice sound of a Merchant working hard.

 

Somewhat off topic, but I've never heard No 35028 working hard before. Whenever I've seen her, she simply didn't need to!

A very nice machine!

 

There's a nice recording of it at Gresford on Railways Round the Clock (after it stops blowing off).

 

I understand that NELPG removed it as a perceived 'safety' issue. It was later restored.