FR & WHR & WHHR News

FR moving pictures footage of 590 launch

I love how the drone shots make it look like a 009 layout!!!

 

At one point in the video (I didn't note where exactly, but I think during the testing at Boston Lodge) there is water coming out of the drain cocks, possibly more than might be expected from condensation. Then at 23:36 there is visible water from the chimney. Is 590 particularly prone to priming or is it just that crews need to get used to it?

A while ago, the co-operation now existing between the FR/WHR and WHHR would have seemed a dream.

 

I didn't notice anything untoward. A significant amount of water often accumulates in the upper part of a cylinder as it is sloping away from the drain cocks, unlike the lower half of the cylinder where any water will drain away under gravity if the cocks are open. The ejection of water up the chimney is probably due to condensation in the exhaust passages which are not drained in any way. As the regulator is opened, this water is picked up by the exhaust steam and ejected up the chimney. No amount of blowing through to warm things up or use of drain cocks will totally eliminate it. It's a common thing with many locomotives. Even BR standards do it; at least all the ones I'm familiar with do. Whilst on this subject a lot of industrial locos with slide valves do not have cylinder drain cocks, only being fitted with steam chest cocks. Any water in the cylinders is then either ejected up the chimney or into the steam chest by forcing the valve off its seat. Cylinder drain cocks only become absolutely necessary with piston valves. 590 has cylinder cocks, though, so it's not relevant here.