Nine teddy bears all in a row ...

In what must be a British record, nine locos of the same class worked a single passenger train on the East Lancs railway. The evening "bearex" train had nine Class 14 locos, the tenth D9523 having suffered engine failure on the Friday. All good fun and it has been a well organised and attended gala. For the steam only buffs on here, the frames are a near identical copy of a 94xx pannier


InspiringImages -20140726-902.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

 

What a target of opportunity for the gas axe.
Presume they needed nine to guarantee one was still working by the end of the run.

 

The frames of the Class 14s ARE GWR 94xx given that (a) Swindon never abandoned successful design elements and (b) the class was designed to replace the remaining steam traction in South Wales.

 

At least they survived to undertake productive work - which is more than Mr Bulleid's Leader or Turfburner did and even his much vaunted SR Pacifics required major modifications (i.e. rebuild) before becoming reasonably successful.

 

If wit was ---- you'd be constipated Mr. Kerr.

 

Who said I was being funny ? Having spent many happy hours in the Corby area quarries riding on / driving the Class 14s I have appreciated their qualities for many years and have a high regard for them that is obviously not shared by many. Hopefully this weekend's ELR tribute may have changed the opinion of some who may now find them less quirky and begin to appreciate the qualities which have seen so many survive to celebrate 50 years of (working) life.

 

My my, we are touchy.

 

why we need two threads on this I don't know, but is it not a myth that the frames are the same as a 94xx? I think there are a lot of differences and what's more, why 94xx when the 57xx are practically identical

 

Now, now children. Play with your teddy bears nicely.

 

The "fact" that the Class 14 frame is a 94xx was noted by the owner of a Class 14 who had completed a lengthy overhaul of his locomotive during which time the "discovery" was noted; the choice of 94xx rather than 57xx was (a) the 57xx was a 1929 / 1933 build whilst the 94xx was a 1947 build and (b) the 94xx frame was more robust as it had been designed for "heavy shunting" - a role for which the Class 14s had been initially designed.

 

Apologies Ralph but someone hadn't noted how far my tongue was in my cheek; I certainly wasn't going to throw my teddy out of the pram after watching the SuperTed Bear-ex / Beerex.

 

I still doubt it...the wheel sizes are very different and the spacing looks different too, and afaik the Class 14 was designed as a trip loco not a shunter, hence it's Type 1 designation. The chassis's (chassii ) of the two steam classes are very similar, I think the legend has grown up because there are some steam-age features on the Class 14.such as some of the lubrication system

 

Identical you say? I feel a new-build scheme in the air. Dont need all those smelly diseasels when we can have a fleet of 94xx tanks instead. Now then, lets start a fund for the copper boiler production

 

good move....I've started a fb page.

 

For those of you wishing to know what this sounded and felt like at close quarters, skip to the final clip of this, find a sub woofer, turn the bass and volume to full and watch

 

So that's why GWS purchased D9516 to create a third 94xx with the frames.
As to Spamcam's comments-plenty of scrap in Kent to get through first.

 

... what's Ralph got to do with it. It was me telling you off (sort-of). Mind you, didn't someone tell you told you that watching too many Paxman Porn videos like that would affect your eyesight?

 

.

 

It obviously has ! - as has Old Age !!

 

It had one but it ran short of steam and got left behind