Sentinel works no 6807 Gervase

'Gervase' did haul passengers on the KESR in 1963.

The occassion was either a members day or an AGM day my memory is too old to recall now.


'Gervase' double headed with 0-4-0 Peckett 'Marcia', the consist was 'Marcia' smokebox to Headcorn, 'Gervase' cab to Headcorn, one ex Woolwich wagon and the four wheeled 'Woolwich' coach. The train was delayed on the climb from Rolvenden to Tenterden when one of 'Marcia's' bigend bearing keys came out and was lost. I true KESR style the driver (the late Bill Westwood) made a key from a piece of wood found lineside, having knocked it in the train proceeded.

Below is a rather poor quality snap I took of the train arriving at Tenterden.


Alan

 

Re: Kent and East Sussex 'Gervase'.

Threads merged.

Richard

 

Re: Kent and East Sussex 'Gervase'.

Gervase during a friends and family special on the GCR today.

Alan

 

I'm pleased to be able to report that Gervase passed her initial trial run to Tenterden yesterday with flying colours. The footplate crew were seen to be grinning, even though there was no tea in sight!

 

Gervase (light engine) climbed up the bank to Tenterden in fine style, then made a return trip to Wittersham Road, all in order.

Photo attached of loco leaving Tenterden 11/04/13.


Alan

 

Saw it yesterday parked up outside C&W whilst the crew were on break, we were hoping they would forget about it and take the 03 back, Gervase would be just about right size for our new carrage depot shunter and steam heating unit , can we have it back please?

 

It was very nice to meet Mike Hart today, and equally nice to see "Gervase" for the first time. She looks superb.

 

Gervase made it to Bodiam and back yesterday with no reported problems. Well done Mike & co.

 

Very nice engine it is, very impressed when it did a full round trip to Leicester North and back on the GCR.

 

Twice, in fact! The second time with the equivalent of four 4-wheelers and using relatively little coal and water, as well. Bowling along at 20-25mph on a 4 wheel loco is a quite an experience.

 

Here is the evidence. Gervase brought an open wagon from Bodiam to Wittersham Road and, after pushing the wagon, brake van and three loaded Dogfish along the PW siding, continued on to Rolvenden. As well as Mike Hart, there was a full crew all learning how to handle the loco.

 

So which is better, Gervase or Marcia? I assume there will now be exhaustive trials to settle this important question.

 

Well one point is already settled. Gervase is faster (c. 22 mph) than Marcia (c.12 mph). However, I suspect that no-one will want to wreck either engine to find out which is more powerful!

 

Presumably you mean stronger, rather than powerful. Either way, I doubt that hanging increasingly heavier loads on the back until they wouldn't take any more would wreck them. They are designed and built to absorb the forces created.
Gervase has already been subject to speed and haulage trials with impressive results.

 

Coupled together back to back on a level stretch of line, both put in full forward gear, regulator wide open and see who wins! :bolt:

Tom

 

I agree, please don't wreck them but it would be nice to see Marcia hauling a more interesting load than a couple of brakevans. IIRC Gervase has been re-geared to obtain a higher line speed.

 

A couple of our members have managed to get videos of Gervase during her recent tests. They can be seen at: Wet Cutting - YouTube and AC429433 - YouTube

 

Thanks - that's more like my idea of an interesting load!

 

Plus this one of Mike Hart with Gervase on Witt Bank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oofLHF3m3iA

Alan

 

I must say congrats to the KESR for this one - when restoring this engine was first mentioned the photos posted up on the forum showed a rusting pile of bits half buried in vegetation and the poster didn't even know where the other half of the engine was! So credit to all involved that it is a runner again.
Andy