.

Fantastic.

Nick

Being a Kings X loco. 60103 was no rarity on the southern ECML and to be honest was treated with casual disinterest by us schoolboy spotters in the 1950's who were looking out for something more exotic from far flung engine sheds to underline in our Ian Allen books. How good it would be to revisit those times and I wouldn't demur if she ran up and down that line all day long.

Mick

Saw it on TVNZ 6 PM news this evening, looking good.

Ian S C

Why smoke deflectors ?. I'm more used to seeing her without. They spoil the look.

I remember her coming through my local station in the early 60's, she had two tenders and an observation car on the back. I must have been about ten and it was midnight.

Edited By Eric Cox on 26/02/2016 09:36:42

re the smoke deflectors

during the Marchington era of ownership, the late BR era double chimney was reinstated. since 1963 the loco had reverted to the LNER single chimney. the double chimney produces a softer exhaust (less back pressure), and hence problems of cab visibility if smoke deflectors are not also fitted.

cheers,

julian

I think that I am correct in saying that there are two main components of the "smoke" coming out of a loco's chimney. The first is the exhaust steam from the cylinders which would tend to produce the white fluffy stuff. The second component, the gases drawn through the firebox and tubes which would be dark and sulphurous and smell delightful. The end result is a mixture of both of course although the dark stuff would be much more in evidence if the loco is "working hard". I recall that the locos going north on the ECML , ie uphill, always had more smoke effects than those travelling in the opposite direction. Variations in regulator and cut-off settings would also undoubtedly produce different effects and very often there were no smoke effects to be seen at all on the downhill run. I have read somewhere that experienced engine drivers are quite adept at producing any effect that you would like and in fact do so for lineside photographers.

Mick

Am I right in thinking that some locomotives had a steam blower in the smoke box for lifting ash deposited in the box while running? The ash would then be drawn through the chimney. If so fluffy white steam could be changed to thick black smoke instantaneously.

I think the continental type smoke deflectors look rather smart.

JA

oh dear!

a decent fireman on a fullsize loco judges combustion (amongst other things) by the exhaust emitted from the chimney. i was taught to do the same in miniature, and i have no reason to change this practice after 33 years!

there are significant problems in fullsize these days with supplies of decent coal which changes things considerably.

if anything, the 'old' film of Flying Scotsman especially after Alan Pegler bought it and ran it on BR shows more 'fluffy white clouds' than on other mainline locos in recent years as per youtube clips and personal observation. this is rather pertinant considering that the ER of BR used Nottingham Hard coal usually. this supply ended many years ago.

i could comment a lot further but i suspect it would get rather boring!

cheers,

julian

Hi, well she was sporting the smoke deflectors when I saw her at the Nene Valley Railway in June 1994, and I believe there were some adverse comments about them then. Personally I think they look fine and make her look ready for business.

Regards Nick.

I know in some movies they used to crack the drain cocks, just to make things look more impressive – an engine in good nick would never have steam coming from the cylinders when running normally.

Neil

As 60532 would testify.

Edited By dizzibits on 28/02/2016 08:53:29

Clive,

Its home is the National railway museum where its going to reside for the next six weeks so the public can see it, it had better come out as I've got a ticket to ride behind it on the 15th June from Euston to Holyhead.

Martin P