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70000 'Britannia'

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by 46118, Nov 24, 2009.

  1. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    The latest "Steam Railway " Magazine has a photograph of the now reassembled boiler/firebox, with a comment that the extensive firebox repairs are now complete, so this locomotive progresses.The same magazine has an article about Pete Waterman's operation at Crewe, noting that a scheme has been devised to train up to twenty apprentices. Pictures show Government high-ups visiting the works.Clearly Pete is serious about maintaining steam locomotive engineering skills for the future.46118
     
  2. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Pete has for a long time expressed concern about the lack of youngsters getting into engineering, so he has taken 20 on to do the work on the restoration of the Garratt that he has bought, with the intention of it being used on the WHR when it is completed. Target 12 months.
     
  3. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Good move by Pete, such skills will be highly sought after 15/20 years down the line, be interesting to see how 70000 differs in performance to 70013.
     
  4. Dan Hamblin

    Dan Hamblin Part of the furniture

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    There was a post on Pete Waterman's blog along the lines of Britannia being ready around March next year. Cannae find it now...!

    I hope the extensive firebox repairs will make 70000 perform a bit better, and that the valves are set using the Bill Harvey method to give it a fighting chance to equal 70013's performance.

    Regards,

    Dan
     
  5. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    Incidentally, anyone wanting to see comments about how the "Britannias" fared in servce, particularly on the GE, should perhaps try chapter 13 of D W Harvey's book: "Bill Harvey's 60 Years in Steam" ( David & Charles, 1986). Here you will find information about the firebox problems that came to light in service, along with issues such as frame fractures, burst superheaters, driving wheels working loose on their axles, etc.

    46118
     
  6. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    A very exciting prospect though. 2 Brits and (hopefully) 2 Royal Scots will be on the mainline next year.
     
  7. brit70000

    brit70000 Member

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    70000's boiler passed its steam test today (boiler out of the frames.)
    Now for the big assembly job.
     
  8. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    Does anyone know if she's to remain air braked?
     
  9. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Exciting times.
     
  10. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    What is the 'Bill Harvey' method and how does it differ from the method employed by BR?

    Regards
     
  11. brit70000

    brit70000 Member

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    Britannia has never had a main line approved air braking system. The sytem it had whilst at the NVR was not of a type which would currently be acceptable for use on NR and was removed prior to it leaving the NVR as it was their property.
    When it goes back onto NR it will not be air braked, but it will be fitted with a through air pipe. The long term view is that it will be fitted with air brakes at some time in the future.
     
  12. Matt35027

    Matt35027 Well-Known Member

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    Brilliant news
     
  13. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Yes, and this means 35027 should be next in line for treatment. I hope both will be used over the Northern Fells, and its been a while since Shap and Ribblehead has resounded to Bulleid 'chatter'. Very exciting times...
     
  14. Matt35027

    Matt35027 Well-Known Member

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    I would love to see 35027 up Shap one day, not the easiest place to get to, living in Kent and all
     
  15. yec2521

    yec2521 New Member

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    merchant navy over shap one word awesome! show these pansy LMS/LNER engines how its really done. they'll barely need it in second valve. i've heard about crews with bulleid's over shap who needed to reign them in as the power they were producing was so good!
     
  16. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    It's even harder to get there from West Wales, but it really is worth it, even if it was behind a certain Stanier Pacific ("where do you put the key", indeed! (William Stanier, FRS on first seeing a Bulleid Q1 class).)
     
  17. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest


    t'was 2008...

    To quote chapters from the steam bible...

    Sat 31-MayTHE TYNE VALLEY STEAM SPECIAL [Times]
    Skegness-Carlisle
    48151 34067: Hellifield-Settle-Carlisle
    [Rescheduled from 12-Apr]


    I remember the days of City of Wells however..
     
  18. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I admire your enthusiasm but reining a loco in over Shap? I presume you're joking.
     
  19. Cambrian55

    Cambrian55 Member Friend

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    Do tell us which pub you heard this fascinating bit of information, then we can organise a suitable Bulleid and get this crew to show us how it's done.
    Don't forget your target is to have over 600 tonnes behind and top the summit at over 35mph from a standing start at Carnforth.:rolleyes:
     
  20. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Any chance anyone could expand on whats a NR acceptable air braking system and what isn't ?, always assumed it was just one "that worked".
     

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