It is after here I lost over 50 photos...so we continue later in the day...
As people will say, normally I'm the one that ends up setting the place on fire....
Snowdon still with the Damian nameplates on
It's Sunday evening again, so it's time for.....
-
DolwyddelanLightRail
-
DolwyddelanLightRail
Slight break in the "tradition" this time, me and Laurence703 had a last minute decision to go to Butterley....on a Saturday! It seems we made the right choice as the weather was brilliant, and I had the incredibly vast choice of picking my only operational steam loco which hasn't been run since early January...Britomart! Seen below with Ofario on shed
Basking in the sunshine before duties
Ofario was sent out first for a spin
Whilst a shay slowly trundled round the lower curcuit
Brit was soon ready
We were also accompanied by a Class 20 for a while (which added nicely to the 4xClass 37 convoy I saw at Derby earlier!)
Both the locos now on the lower loop
Britomart powers round on a freight
Idling whilst leaking some steam from the cylinders...
Ofario on passenger duties
A guards perspective...
Ofario tries off roading...
Britomart joins suit...
A fireman's perspective...
And to end the day some double heading was done!
Basking in the sunshine before duties
Ofario was sent out first for a spin
Whilst a shay slowly trundled round the lower curcuit
Brit was soon ready
We were also accompanied by a Class 20 for a while (which added nicely to the 4xClass 37 convoy I saw at Derby earlier!)
Both the locos now on the lower loop
Britomart powers round on a freight
Idling whilst leaking some steam from the cylinders...
Ofario on passenger duties
A guards perspective...
Ofario tries off roading...
Britomart joins suit...
A fireman's perspective...
And to end the day some double heading was done!
-
Lner fan Sam
-
laurence703
Some of my pictures from Saturday:
Ofario on the brandbrights... last time it ran it struggled to shift these on its own... now its a walk in the park!
Permission was granted to move to the lower level so both locos were left to chill for a sec before we moved them down
We then took the chance of doing some bi directional running! which resulted in James doing a lot of running...
Then I got a bit mad and put everything behind Ofario to see what it could do... it walked away with it all...
Before I forgot to change the points back from earlier and it nose dived...
Wolverton also came out for a play and was left to quite happily trundle along on the top...
All in all a Very good day
Ofario on the brandbrights... last time it ran it struggled to shift these on its own... now its a walk in the park!
Permission was granted to move to the lower level so both locos were left to chill for a sec before we moved them down
We then took the chance of doing some bi directional running! which resulted in James doing a lot of running...
Then I got a bit mad and put everything behind Ofario to see what it could do... it walked away with it all...
Before I forgot to change the points back from earlier and it nose dived...
Wolverton also came out for a play and was left to quite happily trundle along on the top...
All in all a Very good day
-
dougrail
- Driver
- Posts: 1535
- Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:11 pm
- Location: Salopia; on the edge of Arcadia
Saturday's scene was set expertly by James and Laurence and there is a sequel by dint of the fact that Narrow Minded and I did our usual 'Sunday stroll' upto the hallowed BGRA at the Midland Railway Centre.
Our intentions were to just chil, relax and enjoy the scenery and socialise with whomever else might be there - NarrowM had got back from work at 4am, yours truly hadn't slept too well [up until 1am with the lining pen...] On the loco front, the day was to be more a 'testbed' than any excursion running as the new gas fire system and RWM Janet cylinders although used[about 4-5hrs estimated running in sofar] were still 'on test' - see my thread explaining these refurbishments here.
http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about59677.html
We ended up bringing one loco each. NarrowM - his lovely maroon Leader. Me? No prizes for guessing which...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upon arrival, we saw Matt Acton and two of his custom built Talyllyn locos - the Sir Haydn especially looks very much the real thing!
And don't forget the "Old Lady" Dolgoch too...! Beautiful, isn't it?
A Caradoc appeared. Sadly not mine as mine awaits attention from an Accucraft specialist...
######
Then this not so little diesel came out to play. A Roundhouse Criccieth Castle, it had been bought as new and the family had arrived to christen it and get it run in - watching an old mother drive it with a smile was quite an endearing moment.
Trundling around, as it ran more it become more responsive. A meadow scene here...and a happy family which left once its trials were done.
Shot of a shot?!
#######
After some chitchat and eyeing up the other engines, it was time to get one's own steed ready.
Another update for all you 'Swordbreaker watchers' out there - for one the smokebox -boiler screws were replaced by small RWM Janet bolts, meaning no large or bulky screw/nut heads scratching the sandpot paintwork. The sandpots have been etch primed and repainted into 'Swordbreaker blue' and lined using the lining pen.
The cylinder covers finally received their quietus - the patchy, gritty stove paint was removed and these were repainted also in etch primer and satin black. Finally these too were lined out using the Spoorer lining pen in the same red as the bufferbeam and rods. The smokebox footplate and bufferbeam was also repainted in new satin [as opposed to gloss] black.
################################
An Accucraft Ruby was on shed as well. never having actually seen one, it was a good opportunity to size it up and examine it and compare it.
Comparison shot...
On train, with a heavily-loaded coal delivery...
The Ruby and the Caradoc shared the upper dual-gauge / branch line for a while and they did keep good pacing for the most part.
Chunky profile of the Caradoc as it steamed up...
Ruby receiving a Helping hand...
And away we go...
Caradoc's Slow Goods...reminds one of the last days of the Old Corris where often, a goods would be simply a single wagon or van. Happily to say, Butterley is not in such a situation.
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Rubyyyy~
That's better! She got better as time went on.
###############################
A close up portrait of the WLLR's No.3, "Myfanwy"
And replete with WLLR Management and TITS Special Train
###############################
Time for Swordbreaker, after having had a few laps on the branch by itself to warm up, to take out its 'Midday Goods'...
http://s876.beta.photobucket.com/user/G ... ort=3&o=48
The new gas system really has turned a trick, as have the new RWM 'Janet' cylinders! The boiling time was reduced from 10-15 to approximatly 5mins and about another 2-3mins then to reach pressure. The cylinders and chassis roll freely [in comparison to the old configuration], having been checked by Roy Woods before despatch. It's made a hell of a difference in the little engine's performance.
http://s876.beta.photobucket.com/user/G ... ort=3&o=47
########################################
A lovely little Bertie appeared then, named 'NOEL'.
#########################################
Fireman's sideview -preparing for the Express. Watchers might observe that Swordbreaker has also acquired a cabstep each side of the cab. This was thanks to Laurence essentially folded a steel bar at both ends and created the steps. The 'bar' sits on the cabfloor of the loco and in this case is held in place by the lubricator and gas tanks.
Readying with the full complement of 5 TR coaches. It's payback time after the poor performance in January...
Close up ofthe engine prior to departure
##########################################
At this point, hopes were not high but were quietly optimistic. The first run, light engine had sene about 10-12 laps on the upper/branch circuit with only a couple of 'stop-starts'. Considering the newness of the cylinders, [4-5hrs running in, including turns at STIA] it was quite good. The goods train had seen the same amount of distance but had been spoiled by a stuff wagon axle which dragged a little. The coaches were however in fine fettle. What would happen now, given the sad circumstances of January when Swordbreaker had had to be reduced to 3 coaches and even then struggled with poor fire [and now as we found out] cylinders with one piston 2mm longer than the other?
Well.....
[click to view vid]
Hopefully this starts to answer the question! :yeah:
It then attacked the curved bank at "Balloon Loop Junction" without stopping several times - just tore up it without a thought with its tender and 5 TR coaches in tow..
And on the return...
Towards the bridge in fine fettle..
And on another lap nonstop...some might observe that now the steam drifts and lifts like a proper locomotive. This is due to the fact that Swordbreaker's pipe ends at the base of the chimney. I then added a rubber tube sleeved over this to lift the 'exit' approximately halfway up the chimney.
Through the glen...
A "real railway" shot maybe?
A closer view of the train on the 'real railway look' theme...
Into the Glen...
#########################################
Video footage of crossing trains...[click to view]
And the 'Master Shot' I feel...
##################################
At the end of the run, the engine was taken off train and passengers changed over to the onward train at Balloon Loop Hill Junction - hauled by "Bertie" class 'Noel'. The two engines were side by side and some comparison shots were taken for reference.
Front view- side by side...The Berties and Mamod/Jane/Janets aren't actually that far apart in dimensions in terms of height and width. They're also easy to handle too and their overall proportions make them endearing which explains their popularity from Roundhouse.
Overhead view...
##########################################
Surrounded by tourists from the Westwood and Loscoe - the TITS were coming out
Photographs and video as they examine the 'Swordbreaker'.
'What a way to end the day', thought Swordbreaker contently, 'my new firebox and motion have changed my record, the Express went to time and the Master was pleased - now they want to take my photograph! Splendid!' as he simmered contently, smiling for the photographers.
#########################################
This attractive tramcar unit looks the business - did you know its main driver is an IPE Jane wheelset and oscillating cylinders?
#########################################
Last Trains of the Day to take people home from the Butterley Valley were made by 'Noel' and 'Myfanwy'....
And away 'Myfanwy' goes with the Manager's Saloon, happy passengers [and Manager!] on their way home in style...
###########################################
In terms of loco testing, it was an excellent day, finally seeing the changes being made, having given 'SB' a fair chance finally with good cylinders and a changed firing system which appear to have made all the difference.
Quite surprising given that prior it had only had 4-5 hours with the new setup of running time but it's encouraging to say the least.
And that was the end to what had actually been a pretty relaxing, chilled, stress-free day at Butterley. It was good to meet a few of the regulars, talk shop, steam up, run our little trains and just relax.
Our intentions were to just chil, relax and enjoy the scenery and socialise with whomever else might be there - NarrowM had got back from work at 4am, yours truly hadn't slept too well [up until 1am with the lining pen...] On the loco front, the day was to be more a 'testbed' than any excursion running as the new gas fire system and RWM Janet cylinders although used[about 4-5hrs estimated running in sofar] were still 'on test' - see my thread explaining these refurbishments here.
http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about59677.html
We ended up bringing one loco each. NarrowM - his lovely maroon Leader. Me? No prizes for guessing which...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upon arrival, we saw Matt Acton and two of his custom built Talyllyn locos - the Sir Haydn especially looks very much the real thing!
And don't forget the "Old Lady" Dolgoch too...! Beautiful, isn't it?
A Caradoc appeared. Sadly not mine as mine awaits attention from an Accucraft specialist...
######
Then this not so little diesel came out to play. A Roundhouse Criccieth Castle, it had been bought as new and the family had arrived to christen it and get it run in - watching an old mother drive it with a smile was quite an endearing moment.
Trundling around, as it ran more it become more responsive. A meadow scene here...and a happy family which left once its trials were done.
Shot of a shot?!
#######
After some chitchat and eyeing up the other engines, it was time to get one's own steed ready.
Another update for all you 'Swordbreaker watchers' out there - for one the smokebox -boiler screws were replaced by small RWM Janet bolts, meaning no large or bulky screw/nut heads scratching the sandpot paintwork. The sandpots have been etch primed and repainted into 'Swordbreaker blue' and lined using the lining pen.
The cylinder covers finally received their quietus - the patchy, gritty stove paint was removed and these were repainted also in etch primer and satin black. Finally these too were lined out using the Spoorer lining pen in the same red as the bufferbeam and rods. The smokebox footplate and bufferbeam was also repainted in new satin [as opposed to gloss] black.
################################
An Accucraft Ruby was on shed as well. never having actually seen one, it was a good opportunity to size it up and examine it and compare it.
Comparison shot...
On train, with a heavily-loaded coal delivery...
The Ruby and the Caradoc shared the upper dual-gauge / branch line for a while and they did keep good pacing for the most part.
Chunky profile of the Caradoc as it steamed up...
Ruby receiving a Helping hand...
And away we go...
Caradoc's Slow Goods...reminds one of the last days of the Old Corris where often, a goods would be simply a single wagon or van. Happily to say, Butterley is not in such a situation.
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Rubyyyy~
That's better! She got better as time went on.
###############################
A close up portrait of the WLLR's No.3, "Myfanwy"
And replete with WLLR Management and TITS Special Train
###############################
Time for Swordbreaker, after having had a few laps on the branch by itself to warm up, to take out its 'Midday Goods'...
http://s876.beta.photobucket.com/user/G ... ort=3&o=48
The new gas system really has turned a trick, as have the new RWM 'Janet' cylinders! The boiling time was reduced from 10-15 to approximatly 5mins and about another 2-3mins then to reach pressure. The cylinders and chassis roll freely [in comparison to the old configuration], having been checked by Roy Woods before despatch. It's made a hell of a difference in the little engine's performance.
http://s876.beta.photobucket.com/user/G ... ort=3&o=47
########################################
A lovely little Bertie appeared then, named 'NOEL'.
#########################################
Fireman's sideview -preparing for the Express. Watchers might observe that Swordbreaker has also acquired a cabstep each side of the cab. This was thanks to Laurence essentially folded a steel bar at both ends and created the steps. The 'bar' sits on the cabfloor of the loco and in this case is held in place by the lubricator and gas tanks.
Readying with the full complement of 5 TR coaches. It's payback time after the poor performance in January...
Close up ofthe engine prior to departure
##########################################
At this point, hopes were not high but were quietly optimistic. The first run, light engine had sene about 10-12 laps on the upper/branch circuit with only a couple of 'stop-starts'. Considering the newness of the cylinders, [4-5hrs running in, including turns at STIA] it was quite good. The goods train had seen the same amount of distance but had been spoiled by a stuff wagon axle which dragged a little. The coaches were however in fine fettle. What would happen now, given the sad circumstances of January when Swordbreaker had had to be reduced to 3 coaches and even then struggled with poor fire [and now as we found out] cylinders with one piston 2mm longer than the other?
Well.....
[click to view vid]
Hopefully this starts to answer the question! :yeah:
It then attacked the curved bank at "Balloon Loop Junction" without stopping several times - just tore up it without a thought with its tender and 5 TR coaches in tow..
And on the return...
Towards the bridge in fine fettle..
And on another lap nonstop...some might observe that now the steam drifts and lifts like a proper locomotive. This is due to the fact that Swordbreaker's pipe ends at the base of the chimney. I then added a rubber tube sleeved over this to lift the 'exit' approximately halfway up the chimney.
Through the glen...
A "real railway" shot maybe?
A closer view of the train on the 'real railway look' theme...
Into the Glen...
#########################################
Video footage of crossing trains...[click to view]
And the 'Master Shot' I feel...
##################################
At the end of the run, the engine was taken off train and passengers changed over to the onward train at Balloon Loop Hill Junction - hauled by "Bertie" class 'Noel'. The two engines were side by side and some comparison shots were taken for reference.
Front view- side by side...The Berties and Mamod/Jane/Janets aren't actually that far apart in dimensions in terms of height and width.
They're also easy to handle too and their overall proportions make them endearing which explains their popularity from Roundhouse. Overhead view...
##########################################
Surrounded by tourists from the Westwood and Loscoe - the TITS were coming out
Photographs and video as they examine the 'Swordbreaker'.
'What a way to end the day', thought Swordbreaker contently, 'my new firebox and motion have changed my record, the Express went to time and the Master was pleased - now they want to take my photograph! Splendid!' as he simmered contently, smiling for the photographers.
#########################################
This attractive tramcar unit looks the business - did you know its main driver is an IPE Jane wheelset and oscillating cylinders?
#########################################
Last Trains of the Day to take people home from the Butterley Valley were made by 'Noel' and 'Myfanwy'....
And away 'Myfanwy' goes with the Manager's Saloon, happy passengers [and Manager!] on their way home in style...
###########################################
In terms of loco testing, it was an excellent day, finally seeing the changes being made, having given 'SB' a fair chance finally with good cylinders and a changed firing system which appear to have made all the difference.
Quite surprising given that prior it had only had 4-5 hours with the new setup of running time but it's encouraging to say the least. And that was the end to what had actually been a pretty relaxing, chilled, stress-free day at Butterley.
It was good to meet a few of the regulars, talk shop, steam up, run our little trains and just relax.-
Lner fan Sam
-
dougrail
- Driver
- Posts: 1535
- Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:11 pm
- Location: Salopia; on the edge of Arcadia
-
Lner fan Sam
-
DolwyddelanLightRail
-
DolwyddelanLightRail
-
laurence703
-
laurence703
-
laurence703
The Video from Sunday:
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