6023

Just thinking out loud, it seems to be a problem across the board same as 35018 for example,

Gonna have to wait and see what happens, might be a case the wsr might not be the right place or in position to help,

Just wanna see a few more Western locos out and about on the mainline,

 

Obviously never heard of a Fireless then !

 

There have been some pictures doing the rounds on Facebook of the OTMR and TPWS system installations, plus SR suggests that talks regarding a move for testing at the WSR are on-going?

 

OTMR and TPWS are correct.
Could not comment on WSR

N

 

It was announced at the GWS AGM in September 2016 that it was hoped to send 6023 to the West Somerset Railway in spring 2017 to test the new blast pipe arrangements in preparation for main line running. This was reported in the GWS Journal n0 215. The move depends on final completion of the main line equipment installation at Didcot (OTMR, TPWS etc) along with weighing and gauging measurements etc.

I am not totally sure but I believe the plan is that it should be towed by rail, but I guess this could change.

David

 

Hopefully won't be too long before she's back in action. When did she last turn a wheel in anger?

 

Certainly active on the GCR during April 2013 when a series of photo charters were run !

 

2016 but if a press release wasn't issued some railway journalists wouldn't be aware....

 

Depends whether shunting the demonstration line at Didcot counts 'turning a wheel in anger'. That GCR stint feels like a long time ago, and that felt like a long time after the MNR spell. Here's hoping to a good 2017 (will it then require a retube for the mainline?)

 

One of the most eagerly awaited steam developments in 2017 must be to find out how 6023 will perform under load, with Jos Koopman's revolutionary blastpipe (for a King class engine). Fascinating times ahead!

 

I had an interesting chat last week with a gent who remembers watching Kings departing from Leamington Spa station in the 1950's. It was at the time when some locos had the sleeved single chimney and some had been modified with new double chimneys. He said the double chimneyed locos were loud, but the locos still running with the sleeved single chimney "improved draughting" had a bark like cannon fire, far louder than any other locos. I hope that when 6023 is running with it's original tall sleeved single chimney, between periods of main line running, the original blastpipe might be refitted so that we can experience that tremendous bark again.

 

Why oh why should such a grand old lady receive such a rough treatment? Or are you in the habit of beating your grandma too?
Kind regards
Jos Koopmans

 

Jos. Like many others, I am eagerly anticipating seeing and hearing 6023 running with your brilliant blast pipe design. But why shouldn't the loco be returned to the 1950's Sam Ell blast pipe design with the taller sleeved single chimney when not running on the main line? The class ran with that arrangement in the 1950's and it didn't wreck the locos. I would have thought that enthusiasts, in particular, would like to see and hear the loco in its mid 1950's form from time to time. I don't think a preserved line 25mph jaunt with the Sam Ell blast pipe would do the loco any harm. No "Grandma beating" here!

 

If you want to change the chimney, blast pipe , pipes etc then get it all aligned! Be my guest. Plus sealing the base of the chimney afterwards each time.
Plus organizing a crane to do said job !
Then carry on !!!!!!

 

OK. Point made. I didn't mean to offend anyone by my comment. I didn't realise that the Jos Koopmans blast pipe arrangement was intended to be permanent. I thought that to change over would be relatively straight forward. I assume it will be just as effective with the original chimney which is four inches taller. It will probably sound plenty loud enough, as well.

 

I wonder if the loudness of GWR locos is as much down to the semi-plug piston valves as to the blastpipe/chimney arrangement. Time will tell.

 

Perhaps in the future it will become cheaper just to have smaller wheels cast...

 

I believe this has actually been done for 6024! One of the things done to lower the height of her previously was to turn the tyres down to almost scrapping size to reduce the amount of 'meat' on them. This cost a lot of money and increased the stress on the wheels themselves. At the current overhaul I think slightly smaller wheels have been cast so that full thickness tyres can be used instead meaning there is room for subsequent turning.
Marcus