35018 British India Line

I refer to you post #1487

 

It's not me who's inferring that WC's running in method is not the best. I'm confident that the vast majority of those who restore, overhaul and operate locomotives choose a method that is both fit for purpose and suits them. WC's methods are pretty much the same as was used by railway companies in the days of steam and have stood the rest of time. Now if you're saying that Crewe, Doncaster, Brighton etc. should have sent their locos to trundle up and down a small branch line for a few weeks before entering service, I'm sure former employees of these great railway works will be all ears.

 

Crewe used to send them out on a Shrewsbury stopper with a member of the works staff on the footplate. That's why there are so many pictures of immaculate Duchesses at Shrewsbury, Doncaster did something similar ussing an ECML local service. Certainly no weeks of trundling around branch lines

 

Quite so. Look at Silver Link. Emerged from The Plant on 7-9-35 and just three weeks later it made one of the most astonishing runs in British steam locomotive history. Sir Nigel must be turning in his grave at the thought of not having run her in over several weeks on the Saffron Walden branch.

 

Exactly. Carnforth - Hellifield is an ideal test bed for a newly restored 10A locomotive to stretch it legs initially. With low traffic density and a box on the back in case it falls over, the risk for mainline disruption must be quite low IMO. 10A might not have a decent space to run within their own estate, but at least they have access to a proving ground right outside their door.

I hope any niggles from the loaded test can be ironed out quickly and she makes a faultless mainline debut in due course.

 

Doncaster - Leeds Central stoppers (and back) IIRC.

 

Top Shed would often use a Cambridge stopper to run in a loco that they'd given major attention.

 

Good as they are, not convinced even the guys doing the job would say they are working in the same context as the works of old.

 

We've always loved a spit roast down in Wiltshire...

 

That's convinced me, an uncanny resemblance to the modern day context. I am indebted to you.

 

Yes, but its normal called a hog roast, a Spit Roasting is something very different

 

All we need now is for BIL to hit 112 on its inaugural run to prove my theory.

 

It will be required to do more than 112 miles next time out.

 

For goods engines ex-Doncaster it was a run down 'the Joint' to Whitemoor and back.

 

Without professing any kind of knowledge to answer this, can I ask what you would consider an appropriate test scheme for your Jag if it had been rebuilt from scratch and you were planning to use it on a strenuous tour once you were satisfied it was proven?

 

What's that got to do with steam locomotives?

 

that you take your rescue policy with you in Steam terms a diesel loco in car terms your breakdown cover policy in car terms, its like rebuilding a classic car, from the ground up with everything renewed, and an engine thats got all new bearings, that is going to need careful treatment for the first 1000 miles.
I rebuilt a classic kit car, a few years ago, that was a bottom up rebuild, and i even though it passed it's MOT first time, treated it with kids gloves and on the first long run checked it after first 50 miles, then at 100, then at 200. to ensure all was ok,
its like you have just restored a steam engine, the first runs are just up and down the yard, then you check everything, bearings, lubrication, make adjustments, then you take it out on the running line, light engine at first, check and re check, after a couple of light runs, if all appears right you might attach a couple of coaches, to see how it copes with a small load, and to test vac braking if thats ok, then you might trial it on a service rake, double heading, then on its own.

 

Victor mentioned his Jag and they are both types of machinery. I was inquiring as to how Victor might be inclined to manage his own asset.
Having read so many of the responses as to what folk think might be adequate running in, I have reached the conclusion that my thinking is simply very conservative. Ultimately the outcome in each case speaks for itself.

 

I run a classic are too. It's well over 40 years old. To be safe at the start of each season, I take it on short runs on roads that are sensible and limit any enthusiasm for speed that would be inappropriate. After a few runs out and no obvious niggles I am happy to take it on road trips but always conscious that the old boy could have an issue at any time. It is about 10 years since the engine was rebuilt, but regardless of miles driven, a full service is given at MOT time coupled with the scary words "I don't want any advisories on the MOT." Put it right before it goes wrong where possible.

 

Not relevent at all. A steam Locomotive is not a car and if it falls down out on the line you can't call the AA. I would suggest that this is left to the loco owners and their engineers who are far more competent to make an assessment than any of us.