N7 No. 69621

I volunteer at the EARM and this is not an official comment but from what I was last told I believe the current plan is that the overhaul on the N7 will begin once the (currently ongoing) overhaul on Bagnall No. 2670 Lamport No. 3 is completed.

 

Yes she was off beat. I recorded her very final working at CVR from the footplate and its available on CVR Facebook page for anyone interested.
She was still in service when Lambton 29 visited, I fired 29 when we double-headed them for the wedding of the N7's saviour daughter (I hope you go that!). 29 had more grunt, but the N7 wanted to go. Can see why they were such a success on the Jazz trains.

 

Video for those interested

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=926618777359632

 

Sounds very much like when the EARM ran the loco on the Sudbury branch in the early 1990s. One cylinder was off beat then, but when we had the gear down, a spacing washer was inserted between the rh valve rod and its crosshead. The second weekend they took it on the branch, it sounded so much better! This was hardly a technical solution, but it seemed to work. This doesn't assume that the condition witnessed at Cheddleton could be fixed by a similar washer!
Another interesting feature of the N7 is the ability to install the union links back to front. At first sight, they appear to be identical both ends, but the wrong way round creates a slight foul condition between the link and the combination lever. I haven't seen the loco for many years, but I presume these conditions are still true today. I don't believe this would create any issue other than to produce metal to metal contact where it shouldn't be.

video on the Sudbury branch here

 

That last day was a good day ...

She was literally on her last legs. also probably not helped by a layer of grease in the firebox from the very large burgers the fireman indulged himself with at Froghall


20150418-LAP_4522-Edit.jpg by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


20150502-LAP_4570-Edit-2.jpg by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


20150418-LAP_4499-Edit.jpg by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

Woah, think you'll find it was minted lamb on the shovel that day - which is less fat! And there was three of us on the footplate who all needed feeding...

 

Brought back many happy memories helping out the EARM team at Chappel.
Seem to remember 69621 didn't use that much coal and water on these shuttles - despite the steam leaks.
Didn't have any leaks when it came to Swanage in the Summer of (?) 1990. Lovely machine.

 

Good Morning All,

RailAdvent slightly jumped the gun, but for anyone who hadn't seen.

Approval has been given by the EARM for the overhaul on the N7 to start, with the aim being that the overhaul is complete by 2024 to celebrate the locomotives centenary.

To find out more about donating or helping towards the overhaul, please contact locomotives@earm.co.uk where there are some very fetching polo shirts on offer to generate some funds (only slightly biased as I have one already! ).

 

Only just spotted this thread.
Living in North London I have an interest in ‘The Jazz Line’ and thought I’d share this photo of 69621 at work in the area.
The picture was taken at Palace Gates:

 

What an atmospheric photograph! Lovely stuff.

 

The end. Dropping the fire when 69621 went to Stratford in 1991 for the closure of the works.
Love the glowing pile of embers under a sign prohibiting fires!

 

I have to say that as a LM/WR region man on loan to Eastern Region I've been getting into ER power, just out of interest wasn't there a green 31 and 37 for that occasion then?
I can't remember the 31 number but wasn't it named Stratford Major Depot? I need to go through my books.

 

I worked on the N7 back in '91 following it's 'failing' when a crosshead slipper came adrift on the last run on the first day of 'Steam on the Branch'. I don't remember the washer on the valve rod incident, but I remember working with the late Kim Malyon, What a Steam Engineer! I remember him white metalling over the bolt heads on the slipper, with a flame like the back end of a proteus jet engine, but the white metal just went exactly where He wanted it, leaving a row of 8 'Belly Buttons' over the heads, and when machined off there was no trace of anything, Wonderful. I had to turn in after a 22hour shift when steam was raising and just a few bits needed bolting back on. I heard the loco move into the yard as I fell asleep. I have since heard rumours of a 'Ghost Train' seen at Marks Tey that night.

 

My own personal opinion but I think the best place for the N7 once overhauled is the NNR

 

Understand all comments like this, however the current plan is that once overhauled she will stay at the EARM with brief visits to other heritage lines for Galas/Special Events. This is due to the fact that during her previous tickets she has always been "out & about".

 

That’s understandable. Must have been frustrating for EARM folks to have rarely seen it in action at the museum during it’s previous ticket

 

Here are some more pictures of 69621 at Stratford.
One of the diesels you mention can also be seen.

 

Gosh yes, I’d forgotten about that O8 - painted in GER blue for Liverpool St. pilot duties long before ‘heritage’ liveries came into fashion on other BR diesels.

 

Did you also spot the Stratford Cockney Sparrow ?

 

Sparra'