34046 Braunton

Hi all,

Latest news on the WSR website is showing that 34046 is to go for mainline testing this Autumn.
News here; http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#n1273

Andy

September the 8th saw the wheelsets delivered to Williton where the Braunton's new tender is nearing completion. Should not be too long now!

34046 Braunton has enjoyed a busy and active summer season on the West Somerset Railway, and has now clocked up around 6,000 miles of trouble free running. This should ensure that it is well run-in prioir to its mainline debut in 2011. The engine has now returned to Williton and is unlikely to run in service again this year until its mainline test runs later this winter. The new BR style 5,250 gallon tender (similar to 34059's but with roller bearing axleboxes) has now been wheeled and will soon be attached to the engine in place of the borrowed MN tender from 35027. This will allow work on the air brakes and other main line equipment to be completed. Further information on the engine may be found here: www.braunton-management.co.uk

David

Do you know whether there is any intention to fit B.F.B. wheelsets to the tender at a later stage?

Latest updates to 34046 showing the complicated wiring for TPWS & OTMR installation. Are all as complicated as this? http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Latest%20pictures&t=newspix

There are 3 more pictures on from this. Well worth a look.

35005CP wrote:Latest updates to 34046 showing the complicated wiring for TPWS & OTMR installation. Are all as complicated as this? http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Latest%20pictures&t=newspix

There are 3 more pictures on from this. Well worth a look.

The setup on 60019 Bittern was certainly just as complicated if not more so!

Latest news on the Braunton Management website says "[27-Feb-11] Braunton was take out of WSR service in October to allow for completion of the new tender and installation of air brakes and main line equipment including AWS, TPWS and OTMR. This work is expected to be completed in early March 2011, with a return to service at the West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala on 19-20 and 24-27 March. After this, final inspections and brake tests will take place followed by light and loaded test runs on the main line."

Fantastic news!!

News Flash - Update on the WSR website stating that 34046 has been withdrawn from traffic with a slipped right hand driving wheel tyre. This will obviously put back the mainline test run even further...

35005CP wrote:News Flash - Update on the WSR website stating that 34046 has been withdrawn from traffic with a slipped right hand driving wheel tyre. This will obviously put back the mainline test run even further...

Fortunately they have a set of tyres for the loco so hopefully the repairs should not take too long assuming that is that SDR Engineering or Rileys have a slot available for 34046's wheels.

34046 is due to head up to Rileys for completion of repairs which I take to be the fitting of the new tyres.

The news is as follows; "[18-Oct-11] Having been withdrawn from traffic following the slipping of a tyre on the right hand driving wheel, together with the requirement to air brake the locomotive for main line use, the Directors of Locomotive 34046 Ltd have appointed Riley and Sons (E ) Ltd as the contractor to carry out this work. The locomotive will leave the West Somerset Railway within the next week, and be delivered to the contractor by road transport following preparation for transport by members of the support crew.

Following final completion and certification to main line standard, the locomotive will return to the West Somerset Railway which will be the main operating base for all main line and preserved railway operations."

34046 was loaded onto a low loader on the 25th of October prior to heading up to Riley's on the E.L.R.

Do you know when she is due back from Riley's with their extensive work schedule? Obviously some running in will then commence and then the long time of waiting for mainline testing?

35005CP wrote:Do you know when she is due back from Riley's with their extensive work schedule? Obviously some running in will then commence and then the long time of waiting for mainline testing?

I have no idea what the current timescale is but it is intended to have the work done as soon as it is practically possible.

Latest news on another website states the following;

"Wednesday November 9th 2011 - Braunton was 'lifted' today to remove the driving wheel-sets to facilitate re-tyring.

Although we are accredited to carry out the re-tyring ourselves, the work will be carried out by S.D.R with whom we have a good working relationship, as they have the tyres in stock already.

We shall now concentrate on the air braking and other systems."

An update has been given by Ian riley stating the following;

"Braunton has fallen foul of GSMR.

Basically, GSMR is now 'live' in the areas when (sic) the loco is to operate, and the locomotive is not as yet fitted with the equipment."

so 34046 will remain at Bury unless towed south by a suitably fitted loco. Great news for ELR but an unfortunate hurdle for the long awaited return to the main line. Pity the rules have to change so often and so this couldn't have been dealt with during the repairs completed recently.

I see 34046 Braunton made it's return to the main line with a test run on 17/7. Described as a "good strong engine" regional steam bans permitting the loco could head south to Southall.

Pete

34046 is in Action on the mainline tomorrow replacing 34067 on the Dorset Coast Express.

Pete

Hi everyone,
With 34046 now running on the mainline. Can someone please tell me if the Tender looks a different shade to the loco and if so, what is going to happen with regards to it being painted in the same colour?
Cheers
Andy

An update incase nobody has heard about 34046's failure on Saturday here;


Posted on 31st March, 2014


On Saturday 29th March we were booked to haul Vintage Trains railtour The Canterbury Explorer with No. 34046 Braunton. Booked to depart from Solihull with diesel traction No. 34046 took over the train at Hanwell, close to our base at Southall.

From Hanwell Braunton travelled through London, stopping at Kensington Olympia, before continuing on through Tonbridge and Ashford towards the magnificent Cathedral City of Canterbury. Once there the locomotive was serviced whilst passengers had the chance to explore the area.

Following departure from Canterbury station on the return leg of the journey, the footplate crew started experiencing difficulties in operating both of the locomotives injectors (these inject water into the boiler to replace the water used by the locomotive). Whilst travelling towards Folkestone the crew made efforts to get the injectors to function correctly and during this process a large amount of water was wasted.

As a result of this, upon arrival at Folkestone around 1730 the locomotive was running short of water and consequently the decision was taken to call the fire brigade – Kent Fire and Rescue Service – who were able to supply two fire engines worth of water supplies to the locomotives tender. In addition to this a bulk water carrier travelled to Folkestone to supply a larger amount of additional water.

The decision was taken to terminate the passenger service at Folkestone, with passengers travelling back to their departure stations by service train from Folkestone and via London. Whilst the train was stabled in Folkestone East Sidings our support crew worked diligently on Brauntons injectors and by the early evening they were working sufficiently well for the train to continue, as empty coaching stock, back to Southall, returning at around midnight.

We will be conducting an internal investigation to determine what caused the problems with Brauntons injectors, in order to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future. Our thanks go to Kent Fire and Rescue Service for their assistance on Saturday evening.

Braunton will be running next on Wednesday April 9th, hauling The Golden Arrow service for Great Railway Journeys of Britain, from London to Canterbury and return.

Braunton is a member of the B.R. Rebuilt West Country Class, she is mainline certified and hauls railtours nationwide and also visits heritage railways. Find out more about No. 34046. Follow Braunton on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

I saw Braunton running between Walmer and Martin Mill on saturday evening, running 5 or 10 mins down and certainly seeming to make heavy weather of the grade towards Dover.

Pete