Steam Railmotor 93

Castrated!

Regards,

Dan

 

That Met Cam couldn't have been using Daw Mill... Smoke not black enough!!

 

Had I known such a beast existed, I'd have picked up a boot full on the way up there, as Daw Mill is on our doorstep

 

Does it get a teensy bit warm in that driving boiler compartment...........?

 

I always thought that GWR locos used a progressive safety valve that allows steam to escape more gradually, rather than blowing suddenly. I have never heard a GWR loco suddenly blow. Am I mistaken or was a non-GWR valve used in the new boiler of 93?

 

Can't answer as to what valve has been used, but I have definitely heard GW-valves 'pop' quite suddenly. They get louder and louder, unlike the classic pop valve, then will suddenly go.

 

GW safety valves don't pop. That's fundamental to the design. The GW persisted with them because they argued that you could run with the pressure at the red line, which you can't with a pop valve (if it is set correctly!) Once on the red line, the pop valve opens and reduces the pressure by anything up to 20 psi. With a GW valve and other similar valves, such as a Ramsbottom, it will feather on the line, if in good condition. It only blows off when the pressure increases marginally above it. That's where the term 'make the feather show' comes from and can only apply to a spring balance valve.

 

Be that as it may I have heard GW-valves do something close to popping. They'll be blowing quite heavily, and then, very suddenly, start blowing even heavier. Perhaps thhe valve sticking a touch?

 

It is possible to make GW safety valves behave more like a pop valve (ie sudden opening & closing) by a slight alteration to the way the valve itself is machined. This has been done to some of the locos currently running to make safety valve action more positive & reduce the need for maintenance due to wear on valves which blow slightly for long periods of time causing seat damage.

 

Don't forget that there are two valves one set to blow about 5 psi above the other so what you heard was probably the second valve opening with the first already open.

 

Quite possibly. I was aware of the difference between GW and other safety valves, but have definitely heard them popping to some extent. Nice to know that I'm not going doolally!

 

No pop valves on this'n. They "feather" then just get louder!!
Yep,... it's gonna be a warm one in the summer.
Since the power bogie rotates as 93 goes round curves and points, it sometimes blows the whistle. There's a fine ballance on making the return spring too stiff to prevent it, and making it hard to pull from the trailing end or possibly the second auto trailer. I'm sure it'll loosen up with wear but for now, listen out when the bogie makes a "left" turn and you might occationally hear it.

 

Brilliant launch day at Didcot today.

My video is just uploading, should be there in a couple of hours time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6aKs9CAerY

What a great restoration story it is - take a look at the result!

 

Had my first look at the Railmotor yesterday and what a fantastic machine it is, superb restoration and a nice loud bark from the engine. Hope it's not too long before the GWS allow it out to stretch its legs a bit! Preferably to the WSR! . Which leads me to a question which I hope I've not missed elsewhere, what would be the normal operating distance? i.e. before needing water and coal.

 

Great Western Echo quotes about 30 miles between water stops, and coal refills (loaded from bags!) every 125-250 miles, depending on loads and gradients

 

I have to confess that I was completely blown away by the railmotor! Frankly it is as important as 60163 in many respects and it was wonderful that Didcot had arranged for the three "newest" locos , No. 93, No. 60163 and Fire Fly to be in steam together, neatly spanning 100 years of railway development. If you haven't had a chance to see No. 93 and ride in it you really must - there is no other preservation experience to compare!

Foxy

 

Thanks Steve, and couldn't agree more Foxy, which is why I hope it will go touring soon. Didn't have a chance for a ride as I came by rail and got caught up in an incident with the HST I was on (nothing to do with Tangers!) which cut an hour off what I had available before having to head back to the train!

 

An interesting discussion in the gwr elist indicates that the plans for SRM 93 include a visit to the Bodmin & Wenford this autumn, where it will spend the winter, then possible main line certification (!) followed by visits to the SDR and WSR next Spring (subject to confirmation), and a return to Llangollen where it will be united with matching trailer car no 92. Because of the very limited water capacity, I guess that any mainline activities will probably be restricted to relatively short distance trips, with road transport to the locality. I just hope the economics of this can be made to work. Might be good for a Taunton-Bishops Lydeard/Minehead shuttle perhaps ?

David

 

30 miles according to message #95 in this thread.