46115 Scots Guardsman

I dont know if its the way you drive 3 Cylinder LMS locos but why does 46115 always seem to have its drain cocks open lately ? as seen here on the GBV [video=youtube_share;dC_2yIpcRuo]http://youtu.be/dC_2yIpcRuo[/video] Is there any reason for this or is it just poorly maintained ?
Thanks

 

Stanier locomotives are especially prone to detritus getting into the draincocks and jamming one open. I recall vaguely that it was something to do with his piston ring design but I may be way off there.

Certainly on the SVR if a loco has a stuck draincock you can bet your bottom dollar it's 42968 - or a few years ago 45110 or 48773!

It is definitely not a maintenance issue - Carnforth (and the SVR for that matter) have a very good reputation in that regard.

 

Tell me about it!

 

I seem to remember 5407 (when it was in LMS black) was always like this in the early 1990s ?

 

Stuck draincocks are something of a stanier trait. If memory serves the valve rings are a little too easily smashed up, with pieces then getting stuck in the cocks if they are of a convenient, or rather inconvenient, size.

 

46233 seemed to be suffering from this when she came into York on the way to Scarborough on Saturday but was fine when she came back in the evening. Does this problem 'cure itself' or does something have to be done by the crew?

 

Quite often whatever is causing the cock to stick will break up under the pressure of running, allowing it to be pushed out through the drain cock. If not, then the cock can be loosened off and the offending material "fished out" with a bit of fine rodding or similar.

 

Valve rings - so I wasn't far out!

Is this a problem that can be rectified with modification?

 

its generally caused by slipping the loco, valve rings crumbling, jamming the mechanism, having to be fished out or blown through

 

It's more likely to be carbon build up in the steam passages/cylinders that breaks loose and finds its way into the drains, doesn't have to be parts of valves/pistons.

 

45231 is notorious for it at the moment, i recall at the October ELR gala both were stuck on!! Could hear her from miles away

And RE Guard Jamie, modification has worked for Riley's pair. Not familiar with the remedy, but it sure seems to work!

 

Might be that a ring land in the valve liner might stop it.

Cheers Dave