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P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by class8mikado, Sep 13, 2013.

  1. Hermod

    Hermod Well-Known Member

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    2 outside cylinders 22.5 inch diameter high enough to clear platform and 250 psi and driving third set of drivers

    original

     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2026 at 6:35 PM
  2. Kylchap

    Kylchap Member

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    One of the main reasons for building a P2 was to engineer-out the shortcomings of the original and develop its full potential. I really don't see any point in changing the valve gear design to produce a 2-8-2 version of Tornado. What would be the point? The problem with the new P2 is not a problem with the design, but with leadership and money.
     
  3. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

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    Indeed and have to agree, but wouldn't a Walschaerts valve-gear version actually produce a 2-8-2 version of Blue Peter...........?

    Cheerz,

    Alan
     
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  4. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Who has ever mentioned Baker (until just now)? And anyway what's wrong with the plan to use the Franklin improved version of Lenz?
     
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  5. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    Apologies, got my advanced poppet gears confused (is it the T1 that's running baker gear)
     
  6. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    Greggs ?
     
  7. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Same here. I've given a lot of money to the project - money that could have made my life more comfortable. I'd hate to get planted knowing it was all for naught.

    A friend of mine departed this Earth without seeing Hengist built, a project he contributed to.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2026 at 10:16 AM
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  8. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Unhelpful, even with/without a 'smiley'. If you think that would be better, you could go and suggest that to the Cock Of The North group whom I believe have a set of unused frames somewhere.
     
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  9. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    [Shrug]
    It's actually a good argument against the walschaerts argument. The design path taken in the 1930s ended up in failure, repeating that same mistake will end up in the same place.
     
  10. huochemi

    huochemi Part of the furniture

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    Baker valve gear uses conventional piston valves, similar to Walschaerts, but using levers rather than an expansion link.
    Sheeler_Rolling-Power-sj.jpg
     
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  11. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Going down to DLW works for a visit on Saturday, will see if i can get any timelines towards block fitting, and how they are going to design and test the valve gear with it in situ....
     
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  12. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    Is it open? Third and first Saturdays would make it 6/2/2026 next opening
     
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  13. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Schoolboy error, i will go on the 7th instead then!!!!
     
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  14. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    I would think it's open on Saturday 31st as there's a whole UK rail tour involving ROMIC's HST set visiting both Hopetown and Shildon starting from Derby. ("The Sale of The Century")
     
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  15. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    Sorry I didn't know that...
     
  16. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    I saw that yesterday, and was thinking the same, its only 25 miles away, and will probably have a look down.
    When it is quieter, the chances of getting into a conversation with one of the volunteers is improved.
    If you see a post, i went!!!
     
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  17. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    But only running into the Hopetown site and out again without a visit:
     
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  18. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    I'm glad I didn't book for that one then! What will they see of the P2 from the train? A case of "here's what you would've won"
     
  19. W.Williams

    W.Williams Well-Known Member

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    Brake shoes on the leading bogie wheels. Someone took their remit seriously! Very impressive.

    What can anyone tell me about the state of play with the valve gear? Whats the exam question? Is it that its not fully designed yet, or the valve events have not been mapped out? Are the materials a big unknown?
     
  20. hyboy

    hyboy New Member

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    Thank you, this was very much on my mind when l asked if Duke of Gloucester had anything to offer. On the face of it a tried and tested poppet valve gear looks attractive but l have to assume that the already existing P2 cylinder block cannot reasonably be adapted.
     

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