SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

I think the "soon" on svrlive was relative...and when you think how long a full overhaul would have taken, it isn't an unreasonable use of the word.

 

There are many people in preservation calling themselves 'Locomotive Engineer' when in fact they are not time-served engineers & their knowledge of locomotive engineering is what they have read in text books & picked up as they went along.
In the good old days you could not go to sea as an engineer unless you had served your time as an engineer in a shipyard or with a marine engine builder. This is no longer the case, but the old way is probably the best way. I've read about numerous 'dodgy' jobs which were done by alleged engineers & had to be corrected at great expense.

Bob.

 

Whilst I wholeheartedly agree that there are many people who call themselves an Engineer but are no such thing, Engineers aren't necessarily 'time served'. Such people are usually what would be classed as fitters although they may go on to achieve professional engineering qualifications. A 'fitter is not an engineer and neither is a mechanic. I'm a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with bits of paper to say so but I'm not time served. I achieved this by a combination of further education and a structured training programme and experience over several years. Although an Engineer, for the most part, my knowledge of locomotive engineering has been through reading text books and what I have picked up along the way. There is nothing wrong with that. It is for others to judge whether I am a knowledgeable locomotive engineer or not but I certainly don't meet your criteria. I also doubt the validity of your statement that you couldn't have a 'ticket' as a marine engineer unless you were time served. If that is/was the case, quite a few of my acquaintances have achieved this qualification by foul means.

 

May I ask what on earth this has to do with SVR Loco news?

 

That's good to hear about 34053.

 

Photo here: https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/SKPAtSVR#5854563434023552402

 

I shall have to take this up with my acquainances when I next see them but I don't think that they would consider their structured training with P & O as 'time served'. Around about 40 years ago, probably slightly longer.

 

Well, 34027's boiler has been returned to Bridgnorth. Still quite a fair bit of work needed but it's getting there.

 

Quite a respectable GW loco line up on the "valley" this year with:

1450 - currently on the line & staying a little while yet
1501 - in regular use (but briefly off to Bodmin soon)
2857 - in regular use
4566 - in regular use
5164 - in regular use but due for withdrawal by the autumn
5643 - in regular use from may - jan 2014
7812 - soon to be back in regular service after intermediate mechanical overhaul

This would easily beat most gala line ups elsewhere!!

Oh and 34053 is in regular use with 43106 due back in service mid year with 813 34027,7714 & 7802 to follow late this year/early next year.

 

A little heads up for anyone braving the family event this weekend: 1501 and 4566 are doubleheading over the full extent of the line, KS4 tomorrow (4th off kiddy) and KN1 on Sunday (first off Bridgnorth).

 

And they made a lovely sound departing bridgnorth this afternoon with 8 on. Sadly i won't get to hear what they sound like with ten on tomorrow, but i thoroughly recommend it.

 

It was even nicer on the engine.

 

Presumably this double-heading turn is to try and relieve the strain a little on 1501 going solo, given the comments elsewhere about the loco arriving at Kidderminster with not too much water in the tanks?

 

Both 1501 and 4566 are now restricted to 6 coaches and with 8 coach trains last weekend it was the way the traffic dept needs could be met. You are right that 1501 is allowed only 6 coaches now due to a concern in the steam heating season about its water capacity. Double heading certainly reduced the water useage to about a third of a tank from what my fireman said, it was surprising not to see more people around for quite a rare event on the SVR. I would estimate based on our bunker that coal useage for us both was not much different to using a West Country.

 

Hmmm ... Using double headed tank engines to meet the traffic department requirements ... coal usage lower than a Bulleid ... seems like a little piece of Sussex has come to stay in Shropshire!

Tom

 

And, Tom, making do with a very "thin" loco fleet!

Now, where's my book about oil firing conversions.....

46118

 

Just a quick update from the Footplate Experience department.

Several new dates have just been announced:

- August 23 & October 25: Steam Supreme Specials with 34053 at a special price, with hopeful use of an Atlantic Coast Express headboard and a full rake of coaches
- October 25: Intermediate course

I'm also planning to utilise a number of headboards this year, so look out for the Cambrian Coast Express, Royal Scot etc...

Thanks,
Lewis

 

Lewis: The first two headboards are easy when it comes to suitable motive power on the Valley, but "The Royal Scot".... now thats an interesting one and could test your powers....!!

46118

 

Well it's always good to have a play and experiment! I imagine 43106 will look great with the headboard!!

Thanks,
Lewis