Swanage Railway General Discussion

Short 'demonstration' lines at railway museums, such as Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, still operate in a similar way.

 

I can see the T3 from the lounge window, so not sure where you were looking Don. It is in the sidings opposite King George's Field.

 

A yes spotted it from the train. Manson producing lots of dark smoke plus quite noisy on the climb but struggling to maintain 20
mph? Poor coal and low boiler pressure?

 

Seemed to be going well on the first train at Dickers and the last one at Quarr Crossing. Bookending a day of chores, not helped by the dishwasher being u/s and "Dishwasher Repair Man" being on holiday. As he said get out those Marigolds. Forget how much time you waste washing up.

 

Beautiful light for photography today after the morning fog dispersed. Probably the best time of year for steam photographing. Low sun and cool enough for nice smoke. One of my best days of many here plus some Bulleid mileage.

 

Another good day on the railway today fitting in some shots from needed locations including a lot of video with walking and coffee stops. Weather good but not as sunny as yesterday. Even got some shots and video of D6515 on the special

 

If it was the first train of the day, it is normal practice to take it easy on the first run out of Swanage. As I am sure that you are aware Don, Light foot pacifics have a tendency to slip especially this time of year.

 

It was the 1400 train and for the amount of noise Manston was making the.speed ought to have been higher. The 1240 departure was making a lot of dark smoke and throwing out bits of unburnt coal suggesting poor combustion. A very enjoyable couple of days with a Bulleid though and I may post some images later

 

The quality of the coal must be considered. I'm sure that most of our preserved railways have similar problems due to a lack of good quality welsh coal. <BJ>

 

Good quality Welsh coal. Was there ever such a thing? All dust and boulders. That's why firemen had to use that huge GWR shovel as they had to shovel all that dust to get any heat as most of it went up the chimney. Couldn't beat a good bit of Yorkshire hard coal. Little dust, and you didn't have to put it on half an hour before you needed it.

 

....or obviously, Yorkshire coal. <BJ>

 

On this timetable we have a crew change on arrival at Swanage at 1344; their first train is the 1400, which may explain some of the difference in approach. Some will head around at line speed and wait time at stations, while others will have more of a plod and spend less time at a stand.

 

Oh dear, try telling that to GWR men. Their locos were designed to burn Welsh coal

 

Here is a shot of the 1240 leaving on Saturday.

Don

 

It’s worth remembering that Ogilvie true Welsh coal was being used by 4079 when the fire got so hot it melted the fire bars when doing 96 mph at Lavington in May 9th 1964

 

I’m not sure that is quite the selling point for the virtues of Welsh coal you think it is!

Tom

 

Certainty not for those on board that day!

 

Nah. GW locomen were brainwashed into burning Welsh coal. As to design, I've seen little on a GW loco that is different from any other loco in that respect other than the blastpipe jumper tops needed so that all that dust thrown on the fire didn't get ejected straight up the chimney.
As a fireman, I was brought up on Welsh coal on the Talyllyn (14 years) and believed all the propaganda until I started on the NYMR and was soon converted to hard coal. No more treating the coal with kid gloves, riddling it with forks to try and get some lumps and making up the fire ages before it was needed. Instant heat, when required. Well, almost. Less clinker, as well. I also worked in coal mining.

 

Never shut the dampers on a hot fire!

 

On May 9th 1964 it was washed coal