34059 in preservation

A new update on the bulleid Society website for 34059 here; http://www.locos-in-profile.co.uk/Bulleid_Society/master_frames/master_sas.html

34059's boiler passed it's hydraulic test on the 18th October followed by a steam test yesterday the 22nd. It is hoped that the loco will return to traffic soon possibly as early as the last day of the Giants of Steam Gala. NB this is all dependant on 34059 having cooled sufficiently to allow the firehole door assembly and backhead cladding etc to be refitted.

34059 returned to traffic today during the final day of the Bluebells 2010 Giants of Steam Gala.

34059 has been stopped pending repair of a crack in one of the thermic syphons.

Again?? It's not as though the loco is doing the mileage?? Are these the original Thermic syphons do you know?

35005CP wrote:Again?? It's not as though the loco is doing the mileage?? Are these the original Thermic syphons do you know?

As fr as I am aware the thermic syphons are the originals.

34059 has been stopped again with leaking firebox stays.

35012 wrote:34059 has been stopped again with leaking firebox stays.

The loco remains stopped whilst repairs continue to leaking stays near the firehole.

This seems an ongoing saga with 34059 - I wonder if they will ever get to the bottom of the troubles?

35005CP wrote:This seems an ongoing saga with 34059 - I wonder if they will ever get to the bottom of the troubles?

I hope they do, currently they seem to be getting pretty fed up chasing the problem. From what the guy's were saying today the current problem is with stays in the new boiler platework fitted last year i,e, the section put in near the firehole.

34059 has been back in traffic since last Friday (23rd) and has been performing well. Let's hope the repairs hold up otherwise I fear the loco MAY need new half sides to the inner firebox which is no quick job.

34059 was failed today after one of the locomotives thermic syphons was found to have cracked / split.

Sorry to hear it broke, I quite like Archie (although the valve timings sound a bit suspect in my opinion).

This talk of dampers earlier in the thread; I should quote Nine Elms man Jim Evans, from his book:

"The best fireman I ever had fire for me? Well, he was a chap called John Roscoe... I noticed that the boiler was slowly making more steam than we were using, even with the injector working.... He had noticed, but he wasn't going to mess up his injector setting which was just right; he was adjusting the inflow of air through the dampers by closing the dampers down half a turn on the wheel at a time. "

Not many firemen did that!

7wheel wrote:Sorry to hear it broke, I quite like Archie (although the valve timings sound a bit suspect in my opinion).

This talk of dampers earlier in the thread; I should quote Nine Elms man Jim Evans, from his book:

"The best fireman I ever had fire for me? Well, he was a chap called John Roscoe... I noticed that the boiler was slowly making more steam than we were using, even with the injector working.... He had noticed, but he wasn't going to mess up his injector setting which was just right; he was adjusting the inflow of air through the dampers by closing the dampers down half a turn on the wheel at a time. "

Not many firemen did that!

Interesting idea, which obviously worked!

Latest news on the Bulleid Society website states;

Sir Archibald Sinclair

"No. 34059 has been withdrawn from traffic as a result of stay problems on both sides of the lower firebox and cracks in the area of the junction of the syphon top flange to the crown sheet. The exact process for the repairs is under discussion but it is likely that the locomotive will remain out of traffic for some months"

Seems this is a ongoing problem that seriously needs addressing....

35005CP wrote:Latest news on the Bulleid Society website states;

Sir Archibald Sinclair

"No. 34059 has been withdrawn from traffic as a result of stay problems on both sides of the lower firebox and cracks in the area of the junction of the syphon top flange to the crown sheet. The exact process for the repairs is under discussion but it is likely that the locomotive will remain out of traffic for some months"

Seems this is a ongoing problem that seriously needs addressing....

Certainly will, unfortunately it sounds like 34059 will be out of action for quite a while as the Bluebell are likely to complete the overhauls of S15 No 847 and H No 263 before returning to 34059.

To keep everyone up to date this was taken from the Bluebells website today:

"Sir Archibald Sinclair" was stopped during October 2011 because of a stay which was leaking badly, the surrounding platework was showing signs of star-fracturing, and a crack was evident in the uppermost part of the right thermic siphon. Investigation of the thermic siphon crack was inconclusive; after grinding out the suspected location and dye penetrant inspection, use of the camera on a stick did not show anything useful. It would have been possible to do quick-fixes to both of these problems, but it would be likely that further similar failure would occur soon. So with this in mind the rear parts of the tops of both thermic siphons were cut out, which revealed multiple fractures in the right side showing the material is life-expired. The holes thus made allow a better view inside, and as a result of this it is now obvious that significant replacement of old platework is required in order to obtain reliable service.
So the current boiler certificate has ended, and we have planned a repair job which will start a new ticket. The work will include new thermic siphon parts, and replacement of both lower sides up to the height of the brick arch. The centre part of the crown sheet will also be replaced, and possibly the top corner sections (where the sides join the crown sheet). The work will require the boiler to be taken out of the frames, and it is estimated that the work will take 9 months. It is unlikely to start immediately, due to other priorities".

Would seem a very prudent move especially if it gives the loco a new 10 year ticket!

The guy's on the ground are suggesting a return to steam in 2013.

Just to keep people up to date of 34059.

The extent of the firebox repairs now look likely to comprise of the crown sheet and corners, 3/4 sides plus new thermic syphons and foundation ring. The repairs will start as soon as workshop space becomes available which is likely to be after the S15 is completed.

Good luck with 34059 and thanks for the update.

Regards,

Paul

34059 has now been moved into the loco shed (NOT WORKS) at Sheffield Park where preparations are being made to get the loco ready for its boiler repairs to start. NB This will not start in ernest until S15 847 has been largely reassembled. In the meantime 21C123 has moved out of the loco shed and taken up residence in the bay platform vacated by Archie.

Seems as though 34059 is being dismantled completely pretty much... Obviously the ticket will run again, but why have the Bluebell cut corners to get her into service in the first place. I took photos when she first came into steam and I could see it...

http://www.bulleidsociety.org/News/Latest_News.html

Latest Update on 34059 is here; http://www.bulleidsociety.org/News/Latest_News.html

At least when the loco is back and running again we will be sure that a decent job has been done by the guys at the South Devon Railway.