MHR Restorations and Overhauls

It wasn't so great to be driving it.....

 

Perhaps you should stick to diesels then Phil ?

regards
Chris:

 

Now I've got the bus pass that could be the next step..

 

We have to remember 31806 is only a 3P and also still under running in conditions I know there is one particular thing that would have made Phils day a misery as it was there on the Charters . No doubt it will be fixed in the week and normal service will be resumed.
David

 

...sorted by the fitters this week(hopefully):tape:

 

Do please elaborate?

 

There was a problem I believe on Monday with a sticking draincock. The photos on the loco on the 19th suggest it could've been the same problem again.

 

That's known as the "LMS disease" to some. Duchess's in particular suffered from this. 41312 had a problem with this as well (something to do with "chewing" on piston rings) and recently 44932 deafened the crew of 35028 on the doubleheaded Steam Dreams run around Kent just before Christmas.

 

It was worse than this at times!

 

That looks like the sanders are being used.

 

Add 44871 and 42968 from when I saw them run last year. 46512 suffered very badly from it during her earlier steaming days in 2002. Always seems to be a common fault on LMS engines.

 

Nope, drain cocks that were leaking so bad last Monday that the loco required attention at Ropley at 9am. The fitters there seem to have got it sorted, but it got worse again as the day progressed.

 

Looks more like water carry-over (priming) to me, looking at the exhaust and the fact both cylinders are blowing out but those nearer the railway are suggesting simply drain cock problems so I'll have to accept that unless someone says otherwise.

 

1806 doesn't have steam operated sanders.
On the drain cock issue, it's a steam chest drain that would stick open.
As observed, the cylinder relief valves are operating, but will be adjusted as they're going early.
However, it's a lovely engine to drive and free steaming. Worked 6 coaches with it no problem and was present when it pulled 45379 + 3 coach + CCT up from Alton as a loaded test (load > 6 coaches) without a problem.

 

View attachment 2370 View attachment 2371 View attachment 2372

As stated above its certainly not Priming ! (that would indicate a bad crew which was certainly not the case on any part of the charters or following weekend in service).
There are a combination of things going on at the front end as listed above which will be sorted this week hopefuly , Its all tweaks which you obviously have to do with a newly restored loco that fact that some came to light on the charters was unfortunate but factors lead to this happening.
The U will provide an very welcome return to a propper Southern Branch Line feel again much better than big Green LNER Snow Ploughs which was nice but lets get back to our roots. Southern !

 

I should jolly well hope it would pull 6 coaches! I've always heard what good engines these were and lets face it if it was on the NYMR it would be pulling 7 day in, day out on far steeper gradients and a far more sinuous route. Don't underestimate your engines! Well done to all concerned with getting the engine restored, it seems ages since the N's and U's were last out. Also looking at the photos of the engine in use well done to the teams who maintain your lineside it looks well kept.

 

Will have to pop down to the MHR this year, as the last time I was there was July 2007. I think it's fair to say that quite a bit has gone on since then...

 

So how did the LMS engines differ from others?

Another matter comes from the fact that I hardly ever saw this problem pre-1968 in the North-West, you will have to look hard for archive cine which shows sticking valves. Could it be that the components are wearing and just need replacement?

Regards

 

You will no doubt be delighted with the Big Blue LNER Snow plough (60007) when she comes down in October then David!

I am looking forward to when 34007 is back in action alongside 31806. SR heaven!