KESR Post Christmas Running Roster

Hi all,

Im looking at a possible trip to the KESR tomorrow for the first time in many years with some friends and wondered if anyone knew what steam locomotive may be running? Im very interested in their Manning Wardle, so hoping it may be that, but guess its more likely to be an austerity or similar.

Many thanks

Andy

 

Went yesterday, running was USA class 65 Wainright on 5 coaches and the Class 108 DMU.

Lovely day out.

 

Because its the "A" set, its going to be one of the larger engines, Charwelton is only rated as a 2 , ie vintage rake engine, unless double headed take your choice from either the pannier, austerity or usa. the norwegion mogol should hopefully be back this year but im unsure if she will manage 5 mk 1s up the bank , whilst im sure that a terrier can manage 5 mk1s on the flat, when it comes toTenerden bank it wont thats why you wont see a small engine single heading the A set up the bank hense why it was such a great thing to see the terriers at galas when doubled up, especially now that they are a matched pair

 

The Norwegian can only manage a 3 coach set, and has to be banked if she is to haul 4 anywhere on the line. Given our internal rules, a Terrier would be limited to 2 mk 1's even on the flat. Charwelton, while a fine engine, has a weak cylinder block, and is protected for her own good. She has been known to haul the Pullman set up the bank on her own before, but not these days. At the moment, our "class 5" choice is down to Austerity no.23 or USA tank no.65. The Pannier tank is undergoing routine maintenance, Austerity no.25 and 4253 are under overhaul (yes, 4253 really is!), and Austerity no.24 and USA DS238 are both stored pending overhaul.

 

I appreciate why it might not be permitted these days but I recall the Norwegian taking a 4 or maybe 5 coach set up Tenterden bank in spectacular style on the day the line re-opened to Wittersham Road in the mid 70's. Sutton (32650) had been on the other end of the train but failed and had to be taken off at Rolvenden.

 

Doing it once in an emergency is one thing, doing it every day is another.................

 

Norwegian is blessed with quite a bit of power but not very strong frames. As one of the K&ESR fitters put it - strong muscles, weak bones. She was used as a snow plough in her last days in Norway and the frames show all the signs of this - somewhat bent and misaligned and with doublers and repairs to cracks. Her present overhaul has taken out the misalignment and her driving wheel tyres have been replaced (as have all the others). Norwegian is the property of the Norwegian Loco Trust and in conjunction with the K&ESR Engineering Department we are looking to decide on her future loadings. She may be suitable for 4 Mk 1s but certainly not more. It is envisaged that she would be very useful with a long train of Victorian coaches, in fact she is probably capable of pulling a train of Vics that would be too long for our passing loops.