alexf
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Mike Ashworth and
alexf are now connected 6 weeks ago -
GWR Large Prairie 4144
After going underneath 4079 Pendennis Castle, I was asked if I’d also like to have a look under Large Prairie 4144 which was conveniently parked right next to the Castle. I jumped at the chance, naturally, because it would give me a chance to compare the motion of a 2-cylinder loco with the 4-cylinder version. Both use Stephenson valve gear, so…
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Under 4079 Pendennis
My mum always told me, “You get where water can’t, you do!”, but I prefer to think of it as, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” Which is a roundabout way of saying that I asked if I could have a look underneath one of the locos in the shed at Didcot today. I didn’t expect that I’d be allowed to, but to my surprise the lovely chap I asked was…
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I believe it’s quite complex underneath the four cylinder castles with little room to manoeuvre?
Lucky opportunity- worth asking!!
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alexf posted an update 6 weeks ago
Robert McAlpine No. 31
Hudswell Clarke Works No. 1026 0-6-0ST, “Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons No. 31”, at Didcot Railway Centre today. Recently completed its overhaul there and is running in before heading home to Fawley Hill. #feature
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Guarding and Steaming
After putting Emmet’s plugs back in and refilling her boiler last Tuesday, I met up with our head of steam first thing Saturday morning and checked all round for leaks. All the washout plugs were dry, as was the fusible plug in the crown plate of the firebox, so we were looking good to put a fire in—a wood fire in this case to warm her up…
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Another well written piece if I may say so? I’ll send you my yarns and you compose them for me ? Lol! Unusual a sight glass to break? Maybe warmed after a chilly night? I would always break the vacuum first on steam! So nothing moves while i am in between? But things so different with air today! Cheer’s.
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Boiler Test - part 1
Later than usual with my update this week because, unusually, I was at the railway on a Tuesday for this year’s first visit of the boiler inspector. Our head of steam and myself had stripped down 0-4-0T Emmet previously, removing the plugs and washing out the boiler in preparation so all that remained to do when we arrived at the railway…
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A nicely written piece! Interesting use of the Pep pipe back flow from the Injector body, to charge with the regulator open for air to be expelled via the cylinder cocks I assume? Clever lot them fitters! I would go from steam to black seamless pipe and compound for Chlorine gas on water filtration plants in far away places?
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Guarding and Driving, with Tractors
How time flies! It doesn’t seem two minutes since we put our locos away after the Christmas specials, and the running season is upon us again. Our opening weekend coincided with our host museum’s annual tractor rally, an event I enjoyed even before I started working on the railway, and I was rostered as a guard (in training) both days.
A…
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alexf posted an update 2 months ago
Swedish Railcar
Recently restored 1950s Swedish railcar seen at Wansford, Nene Valley Railway on Friday. I managed to get a quick photo as we went past on the brake van.
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alexf posted an update 2 months ago
NVR Teddy Bear
Spent today at the Nene Valley Railway doing a freight driving experience with Class 14 No. 9529 and a rake of wagons. Organised by the NVR Wagon Group with proceeds going to support their work. Great fun!
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Textbook
I got summoned into the office last Saturday by our head of steam. Wondered what was up as he went hunting through the shelves before coming up with a slightly damp, mildewed book and handing it to me. “The Bible,” he says.
I took it home, let it dry out, and cleaned the cover using a soft brush with some diluted alcohol (isopropyl, not gin!).…
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I would carry my Rail Rule book from M7 to Bulleid, And from diesel type 22 to Western Prince! And should I get to see 80064 in the summer then I shall chuck my rule book in its locker and say ”there you go, you’re home again”! I would do 1000s of miles on such engines! They will only otherwise be dumped I spose!
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