If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

A question about G.W.R. engines

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by 240P15, Dec 11, 2017.

  1. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    May 18, 2011
    Messages:
    6,081
    Likes Received:
    2,217
    no he'll be on the left, except on a Fairlie of course.
     
  2. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    OK
    thanks! :)
     
  3. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2017
    Messages:
    12,172
    Likes Received:
    11,493
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Brighton&Hove
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Wozzat? Is someone plotting the first standard gauge Fairlie to be seen in Britain since the 1890's? :D
     
  4. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    May 18, 2011
    Messages:
    6,081
    Likes Received:
    2,217
    referring to weltrol post about uphill to Blaenau
     
  5. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    I have often wondered ,is it the vacuum brake system that makes this odd "farting" sounds (and also other loud noises) from the GWR locomotives?
     
    Sir Nigel Gresley likes this.
  6. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2014
    Messages:
    14,315
    Likes Received:
    16,391
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired, best job I've ever had
    Location:
    Buckinghamshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The vacuum pump makes a regular 'phut phut' noise when the locomotive is in motion.
     
    240P15 likes this.
  7. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
    Messages:
    9,002
    Likes Received:
    7,891
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired from corporate slavery :o)
    Location:
    Fylde Coast
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    Noooooo...it's the nearby GWR devotees talking out of their backsides! ;)...Flee!>>>>>>>>>
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2018
  8. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2008
    Messages:
    3,906
    Likes Received:
    3,704
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    South Hams
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I always find that characteristic sound of GWR locos pleasing; far better than the clanking noticeable on some elderly or poorly maintained locos of the former BR regions. :D
     
    1472, 60017 and 240P15 like this.
  9. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Ok. Thanks for your reply. :)
     
  10. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Yes, the G.W.R locomotives must be the most "talkative" of all steam locomotives;)

    When starting with a heavy loud the exhaust sometimes just BANG out of the chimney.:)
     
    Greenway likes this.
  11. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Ha,ha:D
     
  12. LesterBrown

    LesterBrown Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2009
    Messages:
    995
    Likes Received:
    761
    Location:
    Devon
    Four cone ejector if on a larger 4-6-0?
     
    240P15 likes this.
  13. gwalkeriow

    gwalkeriow Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2009
    Messages:
    1,703
    Likes Received:
    1,727
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired.
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    It can be the single cone ejector or the larger four cone that makes the noise, from my experience its mostly the single cone. I was told that it is the ejector over creating and the noise is the relief valve operating.
     
    olly5764 and 240P15 like this.
  14. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2005
    Messages:
    4,799
    Likes Received:
    349
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Tilehurst, Reading, Berks.
    Going back to my "spotting" days, If I remember correctly ex GW locos sometimes used make said noise from the chimney when the vacuum ejector was on. Only single chimney locos though as double chimney locos had a separate "exhaust" for the ejector between the main exhaust outlets.
     
    240P15 likes this.
  15. RLinkinS

    RLinkinS Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2008
    Messages:
    912
    Likes Received:
    928
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    That is the result of very good valve events and the semi plug piston valves which give a very accurate release point.
     
    240P15 likes this.
  16. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,898
    Likes Received:
    2,517
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The noise is up the chimney though & seems to occur most when the vacuum is at or near 25". It could be a slight carry over of water ?
    The only train pipe relief valve is a small pepperpot on the crosshead pump.
    The ticking sound from the air valves can give a useful indication of speed - always provided you remember whether you are on a Hall or 28xx (with much smaller wheels) for example!
     
    240P15 and flying scotsman123 like this.
  17. Jamesg9466

    Jamesg9466 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2018
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norfolk
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The sound you describe as ''farting'' is usually heard on GWR locos with single cone ejectors. It's caused by the ejector reaching it's maximum vacuum it can create, so the train pipe and reservoir even out, and as there is no air underneath the air clack to keep it off it's seat, it shuts itself briefly but the ejector pulls it off the seat again. It happens in a fluttering motion, thus making the ''farting'' sound.
     
    240P15 and jnc like this.
  18. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,898
    Likes Received:
    2,517
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The train pipe and reservoir do not even out as you put it but the noise does seem to happen when the train pipe vacuum is at or v close to 25". That is not the maximum vacuum that the ejector can create but it is the maximum vacuum which the vacuum relief valve will allow before admitting air.
     
  19. bob.meanley

    bob.meanley Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    255
    Likes Received:
    770
    The sound in question can just as easily come from engines fitted with four cone ejectors. It is actually caused by the train pipe vacuum limiting valve lifting and fluttering whilst admitting air to the system and thus causing resonance in the pipe system. As rthe brake ejector can only exhaust up the chimney, the sound is transmitted all the way through to the chimney which is why it appears to come from there. It is quite often possible to detect the resonance by observing the train pipe vacuum gauge.

    In passing it may possibly be worth drawing 60017's attention to the point that his beloved door wedges wouldn't be half as reliable had Collett not given Gresley the details of GW coupled axlebox bearings, as the Gresley version had a bad habit of running rather warm. And I seem to recall that the inside big ends weren't overly good until a Swindon disciple landed at Doncaster in the 50's. It's a bit like old Alen Grice said about Doncaster "Makers" plates - "The only other thing I saw with a plate that said 'makers' was the fish fryer in our local chip shop, youth!" Maybe 60017 ought to be called 'Frying Fox'?

    Bob
     
    michaelh, ross, olly5764 and 4 others like this.
  20. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
    Messages:
    9,002
    Likes Received:
    7,891
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired from corporate slavery :o)
    Location:
    Fylde Coast
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    OK! *waves a white flag*
     

Share This Page