60163 Tornado

[Harry Basset]

Looks like the fireman needs some more training (no pun intended), he got too much air going through his firebox. Smoke should be light gray, not a blue haze.

It looks to me that Tornado is coasting as there is no exhaust steam visible at the chimney. To avoid blowing off the fire door flap will be fully open and the dampers closed. That allows colder air over the fire rather than air drawn through the fire. . The light grey at the chimney top is when firing and shows the "Mixture" is correct. The very black smoke beloved by some photographers shows a very rich mixture which is very wasteful of coal and the firemans strength.
The shots of Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear were mainly for the camera as I never saw him putting coal in the back corners of the firebox. These LNER Pacifics have very wide fireboxes and there is a real knack to getting the back corners filled, if that is not done air is drawn through the thin patches and steam generation is reduced.

[VC10]

It looks to me that Tornado is coasting as there is no exhaust steam visible at the chimney.

Hmmmm. You're probably right, but it was running 20 mins late so I am surprised it would be coasting. Every other steam engine I have seen at that location has been working hard, but they were on the fast line.

I couldn't agree more, I was only thinking the same about those two classes last night. I think the LNER classes fitted with the German SD's looked the best on LNER locomotives

To put pictures to words -

German type deflectors



Class 9 with and without Deflectors. IMO the deflectors add to the majesty of the locomotive.




While we are on the subject of steam locomotives, what do the NON-steam buffs make of this?




Paul

[Fodda]

ROFL! I knew my cheap comments would spark something.

Horses for courses... I was born and brought up on LNER land. Indeed I spent all my formative years living 100 yards from the LNER mainline at New Barnet with Deltics keeping me awake...

But having spent a longer period living in the heart of God's Wonderful Railway, I really do prefer the GWR... Sacrilege to LNER fans I know, but it can't be helped. There is something gorgeous about A1s and A4s and Mallard is something special no matter what your allegiance, even though the record run broke it. :o

But GWR had the ton first with City Of Truro... Oh yes they did! It's just that gentlemen don't brag and shout...

Each region had it's fair share of gorgeous engines... LNER as mentioned A1 and A4, LMS had the lovely Coronation and Princess class, Southern produced the (unsteamlined version) Battle Of Britain/Merchant Navy engines with those beautiful wheels, and GWR... Well, just about anything but especially Castles, and the ubiquitous 0-6-0 Panniers.

Interestingly, I heard not long ago that Tornado was built so well, that it stands a very good chance of beating Mallard's record... If it's allowed to have a go that is. I for one would love to see it try.

[VC10]

Each region had it's fair share of gorgeous engines... Southern produced the (unsteamlined version) Battle Of Britain/Merchant Navy engines with those beautiful wheels,

Actually British Railways re-built those and recouped the cost in 4 years!

Paul

[forthbridge]

I am sure I read somewhere that the 'british rail' 'regions' were basically what used to be private companies, and also that there was quite a lot of rivalry up to and including taking any chance at one-upmanship and skullduggery.....

Is this true?

[Harry Basset]

I think the BR Standard steam locos were intended to take the best features of the best locos from each of the old "Big Four" companies. Also many American design features were incorporated when these would bring economies or make life easier for the crews, especially firemen. In the 1950s BR had to compete for staff with jobs readily available in clean offices and factories with good wages and regular hours. Shovelling ash out of smoke boxes and getting fire out of a firebox using a long, heavy steel paddle and breaking up clinker with long fire irons after a full shift soon overcome the romance of steam. There is a lot to be said for the BR Standards with rocking grates, hopper ashpans and self cleaning smoke boxes. But I think that the LMS won most of the battles over the Standard designs.

[jonesey2k]

Gimme a 4MT anyday tbh

[Harry Basset]

I'll second that 76079 aka Pocket Rocket, best thing I ever handled (Loco that is)

[511Flyer]

I always wanted to be an engine driver, but my eyes aren't wide enough apart.

:-(