The 10A Allocation

Yes, Joanna Rowling does seem to have gone off the rails somewhat...

 

It's a matter of degree - and I note what's been said about the ELR's Wizard weekends. But why would I pay for a set of rights for a contentious author when there are other options that I could do more cheaply and with less risk of unwelcome noise. Per @The Green Howards comment*, the political stands taken by the author have created vocal blowback by some of those she disagrees with.

* - I am making no comment on those views or the issues they relate to; merely viewing them through the prism of what it may mean to run an event

 

On that its worth bearing in mind that the product that will be consumed from now forwards will also not be filmed upon and therefore have nothing to do with the West Highland line, will be interesting to see what effects this may have on the Jacobite going forward.

 

Bringing this thread back to its original topic, yeah I know radical eh, this group popped up on Facebook the other night which has some interesting stuff about 44767 including the occasional post regarding the progress of its present overhaul/re-erection https://www.facebook.com/groups/135850789809726

 

The digitally rear-projected scenery will still be (partly) the WHL - and I suspect the setting of Hogwarts Castle won't have changed from the banks of Loch Shiel.

 

Did 35018 see any further service after it returned from The Great Gathering in early August last year?

 

No it hasn't. All it's done since all this CDL issues came to rise is a trip down to Swanage for Strictly Bullied, a trip in January 2025 to launch the Greatest Gathering preview event, and then the actual event in August.

 

The first books came out when I was in year 7 or 8 and it was on our English reading list- I remember feeling like it was very pushed on us to read it.

I got half way into the first book and handed it back, I didn't/still don't get the fixation with it at all- always struggled with fiction, particularly fairy tales.

I had started reading the Bourne Identity parallel with the Harry Potter stuff- that proved to be one of the few fiction books that I managed to engage with.

However, if it makes folk get there wallets out to visit railways running events then that's great as far as I'm concerned.

 

Not my pic, but would appear to be confirmation that 5110 has been overhauled (with thanks to @Breva for highlighting the link).
https://www.reddit.com/r/uktrains/comments/1tiiu0r/spotted_lms_stanier_class_5_being_transported/

 

This is on Rail Advent including a photo of 45110 having arrived at Toddington for the Cotswold Festival of Steam: 'Fifteen Guinea Special' steam locomotive confirmed for Cotswold Festival of Steam! https://share.google/XP0rTtRGTAhdkMeAR

 

Hats off for turning 45110 around so quickly, with everything that has gone on at 10A I thought it would be a low priority. It also justifies the sale by the SVR, who could never have turned it around this quick. Hopefully it stops at Toddington for a while as can't get over there this weekend.

 

In answer to a question posed elsewhere by @GWR4707 the latest Trackside magazine quotes David Smith on the subject of 45110 and 44767, leaving little room for doubt he is the owner of both.
The former he says is pointless putting on the mainline because he already has 44932 and 44767 will be out soon, certified for 75mph, so better suited than 45110.

 

I wonder how 44767 (which as far as I'm aware is a kit of parts) would be more suitable than 45110?. They both obviously have the same Driving Wheel diameter.

 

Yes, that thought occurred to me too. Why would one be subject to a higher speed limit than the other?

 

Because it has roller bearings and not plain bearings and is therefore a 75 loco

 

Thanks. Realistically the use of roller bearings was actually to reduce repair and maintenance costs. I don't recall their introduction was linked to a higher speed potential, though.

 

Likewise. When the maximum operating speed for preserved steam on the main line was introduced, no mention was made of roller bearings versus plain bearings. Wheel diameter was the only factor (I'm sure) that was used, as it has a bearing (pun intended) on the speed of the motion and pistons!

 

I seem to remember reading somewhere that 4767 was specially authorised to run at 75mph because it was fitted with roller bearings and therefore less likely to run hot at higher speed.

 

Even so that is what David Smith quotes as the reason 4767 can do 75

 

Cant think that the use of roller bearings has ever been a factor in setting mainline loco speed limits. Some dispensation would need to be sought for a Black 5 to run at 75mph, but perhaps because of a proposed alteration to balancing or perhaps the use of the Stephensons gear already gives lower reciprocal mass to balance -that dispensation has been sought and approved.
Does seem odd that a standard 5 is permitted to do 75 by virtue of a 2 inch wheel diameter difference which is only a new/ worn tyre magnitude,

IIIRC Correctly the roller bearing 5's also have a different wheel spacing ( more clearance needed for the rear axle so its set further back).
This wouldnt to my mind make this loco more suited for higher speed but they would make it less suitable for Jacobite work.

However i seem to remember seeing something in the Steam beano that the appropriate bodies were looking at refining the criteria to take into account loco age, valve gear type/ piston stroke length/ intended original use etc.