6023

No, they just show up more.
The problem is, if they are left too long, things like the cylinder cocks end up with steam score marks in the phos bronze seat and require more metal taking out to make them seal again and thus reduces the life of the brand new fitting.

 

Reported as failed with a collapsed brick arch King Richard III Weekend CANCELLED | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway

"Richard III" weekend cancelled.

 

Oh dear not again - is this likely to be another lengthy sojourn out of traffic? That doesn't sound like a quick fix to me.

 

If it's a true 'brick' arch and they have the bricks then a day should do it. If it's a cast cement arch then it will need a wooden former fabricating so it'll take a day or two longer I'd assume.

 

No, it's not cast cement needing a former, it's one of these;

It won't take long to install once the bricks arrive.

 

I see Russ is operating a charter with the King on 25th April. Does anyone know if 6023 s arch has/will be repaired in time?

Reply may save a lot of folk a wasted journey.

Alan

 

Ringing the GC is probably your best bet.

 

Nice to have 6023 back home again at Didcot and operating today and tomorrow for the Railway Centre Gala. If you didn't manage to get up to the GC, why not pop in and have a ride behind the King, and also the Steam Rail Motor, which is now complete with her trailer car! Two birds with one stone!

 

Looking and sounding very good today too - very enjoyable day at Didcot. Any idea of the way forward from here for 6023?

 

Had a very good day filming 6023 at Didcot on Sunday, as well as SRM 93 and 5322.

Here's my footage from the day.

 

Also, here's an attached photo of her looking gorgeous in the sunshine whilst sat on the turntable.

 

Had a really good day up at DRC on Sunday with some really good mates - 6023 sounded superb, and it good to see it working on a line closer to home!

My video is here:

James at SVN

 

Is the idea to still return 6023 to the mainline? I assume that she would need to have OTMR fitted and from what I know that's not exactly cheap.

 

Not forgetting GSM-R which is even more expensive to fit and a hell of a lot more difficult to find the space for it on the footplate.
From what I understand ( which means I'm probably wrong) any steam loco already mainline certified can have the equipment fitted free but any loco awaiting certification will have to pay the full cost of installation which I believe runs into a four figure plus sum.

 

But in a few years will be able to buy at reducedprice from some out going stock.

 

Would be interesting to challenge via the Rail Regulator having to pay for GSM-R on the grounds of open access and fair competition

 

Wouldn't get very far. Network Rail is only obliged to pay for vehicles operating around the time of the network change coming about. Therefore not stopping any registered and operational vehicles at that point on the grounds of open access and fair competition as you say. However, from that cut off date any new vehicle introduced to the network quite rightly has to be fitted with all the necessary equipment at the owners expense. Otherwise it could be argued that Network Rail would have to provide the GSM-R equipment for every new vehicle introduced to the network forever! Unfortunately a line has to be drawn somewhere.

The cost of GSM-R is dependant on a number of factors. If you have to produce a new design commercially it can prove very expensive. However, if as in the case of 6023, other similar locos are already fitted under the Network Rail program, 6024/5043/4936 the radio is fitted on the tender, Network Rail have so far been happy to allow the designs produced to be released for use by others at no cost. This then removes the design cost and reduces the approvals as you are using a design that has already gone through the process. I have been involved in doing exactly this with Britannia, which was out of scope, using the design produced for Oliver Cromwell. I wouldn't say installation then becomes cheap but we managed it at a significantly reduced cost to the consultancy that produced the original NR designs.

 

As most steam locos run on the main line coupled to their support coach, can the gear be fitted in the coach with a connection to a radio in the Cab? Too simple or too costly?!

 

The support coach is not always next to the loco. For instance on the 'Torbays' the support coach is at the rear on the down run and behind the loco on the return. Reasons are insufficient turn-round time and operational limitations at Kingswear.

 

Could someone from the GWS please advise the number of the Collett 4000 gallon tender currently coupled with 6023. Is it known if this is the tender that came to Didcot from Barry via the part-restoration at Bristol Temple Meads?

Gentlemen, many thanks for your help.