SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

Some of us happily managed 8 coach trains, with steam heating, BH - KR - BH - KR, with the Panniers, 1501 and 4566, for very many years. The smaller locos do not need to "have a go," they just need to be managed properly by the crews - of which, we have many, very capable ones.

Kje7812, you need to talk to a few loco crews. I'm on a Herald on 10.12.14. Feel free to come and talk to me.

Regards,

jtx

 

Patrick,

Feel free to PM me and I'll explain a few things.

Regards,

John

 

Ah, but in 2014 everyone needs a big loco y'know!

 

Talking of big locos. 92214 has arrived this morning at Bridgnorth.

 

I have many, many happy memories of the Jinty and Panniers working 8 coach trains full length along the valley. Certainly never felt like they were being thrashed or over-worked. 4566 and 1501 are more than capable of hauling that load, and I would have thought the enclosed cabs made them more suitable than the open cabs of 7812/2857.

 

Likewise, many a happy memory. A pannier running up and down load 8 used to make a day out on the valley, you can keep your big namers! Believe I read somewhere that they're now limited to 6, and a huge shame if so, though I could be talking out of my backside on that one?

 

Robert, you're not talking out of your backside. In plain simple term. The locos will be working well within their limit without undue stress on the loco. Take a look at 4561 at thw WSR. New frames having been cut because of wastage and, I may be talking out my backside but over loaded on 7-8 mark 1s on the WSR, which would have twisted the front end of the frames. Just take a look at any video of GWR locos like 45xx 28xx 53/73xx. They rock and roll over the cylinder when starting. Think the stress being put on the springs/ spring hangers/ frames.
One of the decisive factors was the rising costs of overhauls. Having 4566, 1501, 7714, 5764, 46443, 47383 and 813 (although whether it will lift 6 and keep time) limited to 6 will ease the wear and tear on the all the locos. There is no need for the smaller locos to be over-worked. Most of the crews I know agree 1501 will handle it most things you can throw at it but 4566 is a long day on 8 full mark 1s with unnecessary stress being put on the frames and the loco in general. With 43106, 34053, 34027, 2857, 7812/02 all to be running by 2015 ends. There is really no need for the smaller locos to be worked over their limit.

If we keep putting 4566 on 8 coaches just for the noise. Can the people who just want to hear that noise pay for her overhaul in 3 years time?

 

Doe anyone know which direction the 9F is facing please?<BJ>

 

Thanks for the gen. I paid a visit to the railway on Sunday and was rewarded with a video sequence of the 9F hauling 8 maroon coaches in really nice winter sunlight. It reminded me of 'Evening Star' at my local railway, the Somerset and Dorset, in the early 1960s. The 9F even carried an 82F shed plate. 30 minutes later it was followed by 'Sir Keith Park' also hauling maroon stock. Memories eh?

I would like to add that at the end of the day I gave a generous donation to the railway at Bewdley. <BJ>

 

Just had my SVR news come through firstly wow! What a cracking phot of 73129 at Eardington, I've said this before but when you get the right stock with the right engine... Is there any gen regarding Spring Gala? Nothings mentioned but just wondered if theres any whispers. Im guessing 3205'll show its face on the way back from Wales, any other visiting loco whispers?

Edit: Can today get any better? 90733 from KWVR oh yes! And Albion beat the Shower from witton!

 

Interesting that 1501 is seen as a bit of an exception when viewing the pool of smaller locomotives particularly in the light of what was generally written about the class in pre-preservation years. The extra 11 tons or so over the weight of a 57xx achieves some improvement over the earlier design and it would be worth knowing just how improved the frame design was.
Also the ride of the 15xx was much criticised in BR days, I wonder what the SVR view might be on the matter.

 

I still find it amazing that the GWR went to the cost of designing and building this small class of locomotive for basically shunting work, when they could have purchased a dozen or so new or very nearly new USA tanks for scrap prices.

 

"Not invented here" syndrome - a syndrome seemingly invented at Swindon!

Tom

 

Not sure how 90733 fits into the theme of locos that have a previous connection with the SVR in the past, which I thought was going to be a theme for 2015 Gala visitors.
(Paint it temporarily blue and name it "Gordon"....no of course not, don't be silly....)

46118

 

No design cost for the boiler - its a GWR standard number 10. What we don't now know is how many were intended to be built - given that there were at the time over 800 of the older design Panniers of various types & age in traffic. Perhaps a modernisation programme was envisaged which was overtaken by Nationalisation etc.
Putting the USA & 15xx side by side would quickly show which was the better engine!

Re the other recent post about the ride quality of a 15xx - its fine at 25mph but might be a different story at 45mph though I guess we are not likely to find out.

 

Weren't they rather heavier than the 57xx/8750 classes so unsuitable for replacements - just like the 94xx's? - Hawksworth did some very odd things in his reign at Swindon. I won't mention the Counties - a Modified Hall with higher boiler pressure and much increased maintenance costs

 

Surprisingly smooth, we all expected it to be rough, but it isn't.

 

All good points, but that is not why they have been limited to six.