44901 going to gwsr.

I would hazard a guess that TCDD would have redesigned the outer boxes to cater for the use of a steel inner. It is easy to look down your nose at standards used by 'Jonny Foreigner' but they kept them in service far longer than we did so they probably knew something about keeping their fleet in a sustainable condition

 

( But in fairness to Mr Hosking and the 44901 group they could well have had the unit properly assessed by their UK boiler inspector. Mr Hosking is known for "doing the job properly".)

Where does Jeremy Hosking come into this? - I haven't heard his name mentioned in connection with this group before.

 

Ah, apologies, I thought the original poster mentioning the name was "actually" referring to Mr J Hosking, but had mis-spelt.

I assume now two different persons, so duly understood and admonished.

My other comment stands though, to have allowed Ian Riley to have the boiler off 44901, the group must be sure of their ground with what is going to form the replacement. Could it just be that they have found in Turkey a boiler/firebox unit that has seen relatively little use, and has not suffered the ravages of our wet climate? No doubt all will become clear in the fullness of time.

46118

 

The boilers of Class 5s 44718-727 were fitted with steel inner fireboxes when new. Other than the difference in material, construction was the same as any other Class 5. The steel fireboxes lasted the lifetime of the boilers.

 

For the last 20 or so years of their lives the "Churchills" (as the Turks knew them ) were only used for shunting and most were extremely run down. I was lucky enough to see one of the last 8Fs shunting at Irmak in 1983 or 84 and it was restricted to the station limits due to its condition - and it was reputedly one of the best. I'm sure that,in the day, the TCDD works must have done a good job but latterly a "rebuild" was to such a poor standard that steam railtours ceased due to a lack of serviceable locos - despite the tour organizers sometimes having paid for "essential repairs" beforehand. Ray.

 

Maybe the 44901 group have dropped on a boiler either held as a spare, or taken off an earlier scapped loco whilst still in reasonable condition.

Who knows, eventually the story will unfold.

46118

 

Has there actually been any announcement that a turkish 8F boiler will be used? Looking back through this thread it seems to be simple speculation. It might be that those concerned consider that a completely new boiler would be the best long term option. After all, I think that flanging blocks now exist to make all the necessary parts so it won't be a question of starting from scratch. It will need a new barrel and tubeplate, in any case.

Pure speculation on my part!

 

Its been reported in SR.. if that makes it legit.

 

Unless SR have "inside" info, what we actually need now is someone from the 44901 group to pop up here and just tell us which option they are pursuing, either a complete new build, or adapting a Turkish unit. Until then, there isn't really much more to be said.

46118

 

And as if by magic....

Update: the group is still awaiting news about the donor 8F that is, hopefully, being repatriated from Turkey. This will be supplying the tender and boiler for the project, the original boiler having been sold to Ian Riley as a spare for his engines. Most other parts are already in stock at Toddington. The chassis is being moved to another site for the time being until all parts of the project can be brought to Toddington.

 

Thankyou, that is appreciated!

You have to think that "hopefully" actually means "with reasonable certainty" or words to that effect, because if the Turkish donor does not materialise, they have a problem....

46118

 

If the donor falls through they could always sell the rest and bits to Riley. They've got a spare boiler apparently.

 

:lol::lol:

 

According to R C Bond’s comments to the paper on experience with the Bulleid steel fireboxes presented to the Institution of Loco Engineers in 1958, the steel fireboxes fitted to the Black 5s “had not been entirely satisfactory” and they required renewal after nine years (and apparently replaced with copper boxes). This was contrasted with the fireboxes of the BR WD 2-10-0s where there had been “no trouble” and whose life was expected to be 15 years or more.

 

Now that is interesting. The locos in question were built in 1949, which would make 1958 the year that the inner boxes were replaced.

 

Just to add to the thread I spotted 44901's boiler on a low loader yesterday morning, approx 7:00 travelling East on the M4 at Newport.

 

Was due to be lifted from said low loader onto a rail vehicle at Ian Rileys today. It has safely arrived despite the weather.

Presumably the frames etc of 44901 will soon be on their way to Toddington if that is the intention.

...now where's that Turkish jobbie.....

 

How very odd, I could understand concluding an agreement to sell the bolier to Riley, subject to obtaining a replacement but to sell the boiler with no guarentee that the replacement will arrive seems a little short sighted, although i suggest there is more to this than the update suggests?

I have not read back through but I assume that 44901's boiler is a bit of a pig for it to be more efficient to import an 8F boiler and complete all the changes to the barrel?

 

Or maybe there is a financial benifit? Who knows what price they have got the boiler for, what condition, and dont forget the spares. So maybe the costs of all this stuff from turkey actually helps the project? Until a press release or conformation we wont know.....