Brighton Atlantic: 32424 Beachy Head

There was a head on collision on the GWR where the report stated that the standard gauge train was piloted by a broad gauge loco

https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_NortonFitzwarren1890.pdf

 

It appears from that report, that the broad gauge loco was normally (always?) detached before shunting over point work.

It might be interesting to see what the regulations of the time said about coupling arrangements.

 

Despite which it happened sometimes in the days of mixed gauge. You could add a temporary additional draw hook or just use a match wagon.
N.B. This is all a WIBN, not very serious.

 

I'd be more concerned about the buffers lining up than the drawhooks.

 

It's either a match wagon or four buffers on all BG locos! I have never seen one of the latter! Don't forget there would only be three running rails. Without a match wagon, the couplings wouldn't line up.

 

I'm *fairly* sure I've seen a photo of a shunting locomotive with a plank across the buffers. But now I think of it I wonder about the coupling.

 

There were places where the common rail swapped from left to right hand rail (i.e. through a crossover). Which makes the coupling problem even more problematic.

Tom

 

Come on, these were the Victorians. They were masters at devising complex yet robust solutions to fix problems of their own making.

Pinched from the Broad Gauge Society Facebook - Hawthorn class Fenton with elongated buffers and sliding coupling:

 

I can’t hear the name Fenton without immediately shouting it at my wife in a pseudo-posh panicked voice………



even further off topic, sorry………

 

Presumably it works best with a light load!!!!

 

I think there is such a configuration at Didcot even now.

 

This reminds me of the old phrase "an engineer can do for five pounds what any old fool can do for ten". Superb.

 

Couple of photos (not mine, hence not posting them here) on Facebook of Beachy Head at East Grinstead for the first time (light engine). The first time I believe that it has gone beyond the advanced starter at Sheffield Park.

Remember - tickets for the launch event: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/beachy-head-2024/ Also it will be on static display this weekend at the model railway weekend.

Tom

 

Perhaps you post a link? Thanks.

 

If you are in the relevant group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/601609619939850/permalink/7257120011055411/ I suspect it will be on the public Facebook page in due course.

Tom

 

Video … (Not mine - from John Sandys).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/169826404@N05/53819353741/in/photostream/

Tom

 

Is that a Dreadnought Ejector? If so, is it new as it looks remarkably undented?
Pat

 

Looking completely steam tight and sounding to my layman’s ear like all is well….a credit to the team involved, their hard work looks to have paid off handsomely!

 

Lovely to see it moving - well done to All concerned.

 

Lovely chuff! (Not my video)