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[Alan R]

Hi guys----------- Joyce and I took a steam train ride to Canterbury yesterday and saw this >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[apparently lucky eddie]

Alan, that would be behind 21C146/34046 Braunton I presume? I hope she behaved herself. I've watched her for many years since she was parked outside Brighton station rusting away to her restoration on the WSR. It's pity she was n't restored as a spam-can but all the same, you've got to admit she a looker is n't she, especially when compared to those backward old donkeys they had on the western region! Incidentally I lived in Braunton before I moved into Barnstaple.

[Midge]

For those not in the know, here's a recent photo of Braunton, rebuilt West Country Class loco when I had a run down to Alresford for the spring gala.

[Alan R]

Hi guys---------here's the report}---Joyce and I went on Vintage Trains' "Canterbury Explorer" yesterday ( http://www.tyseleylocoworks.co.uk/tours/ )..which involved a 03.00 wake-up for me, and after an hours drive on empty motorways a prompt 06.59 departure from SOLIHULL hauled by Heritage Diesel Brush type 4 No.47773 ....All went well and we changed to our rostered steam loco (rebuilt light Pacific 34046 BRAUNTON) at Hanwell Bridge loop in North London spot on time...........Having crossed the Thames via Chelsea Bridge, we had a spirited run in glorious Spring sunshine through North Kent, to arrive at Canterbury West a few mins. early..........................After approx. 2.5 hrs spent exploring Canterbury centre we arrived back at the station in plenty of time before the booked departure.....I took some photos of the unique signal box and saw our train stabled in the sidings just opposite.........It was at this moment that I began to suspect all was not well.........BRAUNTON's safeties were blowing hard and continued to do so for 5 mins or so ( OK, poor stand-by firing maybe ??).........The train was propelled back into the station, "all aboard" and we departed on time..........Entering a series of long tunnels through the chalk hills saw us slowing down to drift by Dover and along the coast line to Folkstone ( Can I hear those safeties lifting again and again ??)...........We came to an unscheduled halt just outside Folkstone with a Tannoy announcement that it was a "signals stop." and sat there for some 25 mins with those safeties constantly blowing !! ...Something is definitely NOT RIGHT for sure!!...........Eventually we re-start and pass through Folkstone, only to come to a halt a few miles down the line....... More waiting and by now it's obvious we're in trouble and the booked timetable has been totally compromised..........A series of updates via the Tannoy and guess what ??..it's apparently water contamination of BOTH injectors !!............We slowly set-back to Folkstone where the Fire Brigade re-filled the empty tender whilst the support crew attempted to clean the injectors ( Apparently they WERE working originally but not properly, and had a large % of overflow.)..The crew were trying to make it to the next water stop at Paddock Wood, approx. 70 miles from Canterbury but ran low on water and dragged some silt into the injectors..........An upside from this was the Roast Beef Dinner was served and enjoyed whist perfectly still !!................Another announcement tells us the rest of the trip has officially been abandoned, we are to be propelled into Folkstone Main where arrangements have been made for all of us to go back to London (St Pancras, International) on a South East Trains scheduled service ( Alas not one of those JAVELINs..).... This we do and then via a new "S" class Underground to Baker Street.... a 10 min. walk to Marylebone where, after a 45 min rest we board a scheduled Chiltern Trains service back to SOLIHULL....We arrive only 1 hour later than the original timetable called for !!!------- I must offer a HUGE "WELL DONE" to all those VINTAGE TRAINS people involved to get it all arranged and implemented at such short notice !!!.............................Here are a few photos from the day..........I have some close-up shots of loco wheels and valve gear if anybody wants any ??...................ps, There was a down side to all this}---- We never got our Apple Crumble with hot custard !!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------

[Midge]

Alan R, a lengthy discussion on that trip here http://www.national-preservation.com/th ... ch.241476/

[apparently lucky eddie]

Its all that chalk in the water over in kent Alan. The water is so hard you can walk on it,no wonder her injectors were blocked, she just needed some of that "calgon" stuff! Or a tender full of lovely soft west country water!

[Alan R]

Thanks for that link MIDGE.--- I've been thinking of joining that forum..If I do however I'll never get any bike time in OR 5"gauge driving time either !!---------So, conformation of what I suspected at the time then??...Technically reassuring for me but a pity for the crew who obviously did their utmost to rectify the situation.......... A.L.EDDY}--- Initially the injectors weren't picking up cleanly and they had a lot of overflow which naturally increased the consumption....( Tender water capacity is 4,500 gallons)-------------- We put in some spirited running through those tunnels---usually I take the car sat-nav with me to get the speed readings but forgot to this time.....I'm guessing that we topped at 70 mph with regular stints at 60 mph....I count 10 coaches at an average of 30 tons each ?? ( Some PULLMAN, some BR Standard Mk1 ) gives 300 tons on the hook ??.......easy pickings for a 7P5F rating........She'll be back though !!