Betton Grange

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Use-of-standard-gauges.pdf

This seems to be a reasonably introduction to gauging on the mainline, especially fig 2 on page 8.

It seems that the below solebar level, under 1m above the railhead is the most problematic area, which is of course where outside cylinders come.

*If* I've done my reading and sums right the standard for this area is now 2700mm (~ 8'10 3/16"?) and the paper suggests its better to work to 2650mm (~ 8'8 1/4" ?)

So its little wonder Halls and Manors are having gauging troubles.

Thanks andalfi for the typo spot!

 

Slight error on the 2650mm dimension, it is over 2" wider at 8' 8.21/64" give or take a few thou.
Andy

 

http://www.6880.co.uk/become-part-of-it/cylinder-appeal/

Cylinder appeal now on 6880 website (though it is hidden away...)

 

I just found the original reference in AE Durrant's 'Swindon Apprentice'

 

What about the big yellow link button on the home page, that goes straight to the cylinder appeal information?? Not that well hidden.

 

Wasn't there when I posted

Article promoting the 200 Club now in Heritage Railway Magazine. Apparently we've nearly got 25% take up already for this appeal, which isn't too bad considering it's only been public less than a month! Anyone else wanting to help build the final major component for the loco please do support this appeal.

 

Bit of a confusion coming out over the cylinder Appeal.

Railway Press saying £20k raised and cylinder pattern ordered, but then comments on the 6880 Facebook Page saying Appeal still open as funds still required.

Has the target been met, or are you still looking for 200 Club members?

 

Sorry. Im getting even more confused every day.

From what was said on facebook a while back the 20k was for the pattern, casting, and machining cost. Which was reported in a magazine that it was fully reached. Cant remember which. Then i asked about that on facebook as to which was correct as the facebook page said it was still needing funds for the 20k. That was a couple of months ago. Then during this week someone asked if they were still fund raising to which they replied no as my attached pic shows. So this is what is confusing people. And im presuming thats what just_saying is reffering to.

 

Ok let's clear the confusion, if you read the Facebook information posted above it is stated "no "to the question are you close to or reached £20k. It was also stated donations welcome . I am sure everyone will agree until a loco is complete groups will continue to fund raise. The press is correct in saying the cylinder patterns have been ordered

 

But just increasing the Steam chest volume without increasing the valve size or the steam pipe isn't all that effective...The trend of increasing the relative dims all these items plus the exhaust passages had reached the other 3 pre nationalisation.

Good luck with those cylinders Grangers

 

100% agree with you Liz about fund raising until the project is complete. And then you have to keep on fundraising. No one will ever complain about a project that does that. Its good work.

But people were/have been confused about the fact that an article that appeared in one of the magazines stated that the 20k for that part of the project had been raised. Which may i add is great news and well done, but then your now saying it isnt raised quite. Which is also fine. But it cant be both... so if its filled up and any additional money will be spent on something else say that. In fact if it is full and you state that you now want to fill £xxx to pay for the fitting of the cylinder by Llan engineering then say that. But people are only questioning when there is a bit of confusion.

Well done either way and it will be nice to see the Grange get its final large casting required before steaming (i think im right in saying that, if not and there is something else missing i apologise)

Gav

 

Seems a little bit typical grange, it has a lot of potential but gives face of a poorly run project.

It has always fallen well behind the tornado, patriot and 3mt projects in its publicity, project updates etc

 

As someone who has absolutely nothing to do with the Grange, or any other 'western region' project for that matter, it would seem to me that you have an axe to grind here, as I see it, progress on this loco has been relatively quick, which proves they have their priorities in the right area, so why not offer YOUR services in the publicity department for this loco and show them how it SHOULD be done, instead of moaning !

 

It's unfortunately a common trend these days, whereby people seem to have forgotten about contructive criticism, i.e. actually giving suggestions on how their gripe with the issue can be solved, instead of just moaning for seemingly little reason other then the sheer sake of it.

A persistant trend I do find rather irritating...

 

It sounds like it could be the magazine's fault, author will have heard that cylinders are being ordered, cylinder appeal aim is £20,000 ego they must have raised the full amount, which isn't necessarily the case, as it presumbly is here, in that the ylinders have been ordered but the costs haven't been raised yet? I think a similar error was made a while ago for Bridges to Broadway, speaking of which, maybe Betton Grange for reopening to Broadway as Toddington Grange? Excellent work, I've only just got round to looking at this project properly after only being vaguely aware of it, I would say that perhaps the publicity could be a little better, I suppose as it's not a "proper" new build maybe it hasn't attracted quite the excitement that others have? Either way, still amazing stuff, carry on the good work!

 

First cylinder now cast...

 

Are you sure about that? (Valve size increase vs undesirable increase in clearance volumes - for one consideration)

 

Is the plan to have both cylinders cast by SSS4?