35010 Blue Star

I always had a soft spot for No 10. In the last years she was so off beat her syncopated rhythm was quite unique. I had a number of runs with her on the 13.30d and have some recordings between Soton and Bomo evidencing her off beat nature. Instead of the usual 3 cyl beat there were three quiet beats, then silence and an exploding roar as the last three came in one go. I recall commenting you could hear the first 3, go down to the buffet for a coffee and come back for the last 3!!

My best (for noise) run with her was on the 18.30d (SuO) diverted via Alton. Fred Prickett was the driver and a Guilldford pilotman took us over the Alps. Through Alton at 10 mph and then No 10 went nuclear storming up to Butts Junction with exhaust beats coming in wild profusion! A superb climb using full and 55%. On arrival at Southampton Fred emerged from the cab muttering " You can't treat a locomotive like that...." as he set off to the water crane. Oh yes you could Fred!!

I have a tape recording of the climb and one day, when I have sorted how to reduce the sound file to manageable proportions and found how to post it, I will try and do so!

35023

Sorry this seems to have appeared in the wrong section.......not sure how it can be moved. Help!

Thread moved to the correct section....

Thanks for letting me know.

Andy

A story about 35010 that I posted on the email round robin recently.


Not a good day for 35010, Blue Star.

I had gone down on the ACE with Fred Hoare and 35009. 84.28 with a number of checks. Still a typically good Fred Hoare run in between.

Waited at Salisbury for the up ACE, which was late. Indeed my notes say nearly 41 late off Salisbury.

Someone must have been timing from Exeter as my notes read that:-

"Lack of water, stopped at Templecombe. No water. Then to Gillingham for water." Yes, that would lose quite a lot of time.

But the day was not yet over for Blue Star!

We hit something near to Allington: possibly something left by a platelayer. Obvious enough to make a noise, but not to slow us down. Just under 80 towards Red Post, and again after Andover.

Followed by a short stop at Whitchurch station. Then a long stop at Basingstoke where 35010 had decide to call it a day. Not surprising really after all that loco had been though so far. Hot box on the tender. When things go wrong, they go wrong!

The stop at Whitchurch had been to ring Basinsgtoke for a replacement loco. And Basingstoke turned out their finest: 73085.

I got off the train there. With other timers I think? And caught the 15.00 ex Waterloo with 34054 and 11 cars. Good run to Salisbury as well. Then came back on the 16.30 Exeter with 34059 no less. 3 late Salisbury and nearly 4 early by Woking with Charlie Sutton. Just about RT Waterloo I think.

I assume that 35010 was repaired at Basingstoke and then sent off to Waterloo on a service train. Imagination runs riot thinking about a Basing driver turning up for duty expecting a BR class 4 for his slow train to Waterloo, and getting a Merchant Navy instead!

After learning of 35010's bad behaviour I thought this would cher everyone. Blue Star waits to leave Waterlo on the 13.30d Weymouth on 30th May 1966, with her 'homemade' smokebox number plate.

Good one John.

By the way, Don says what was the number of the 4-SUB to the left of the photo!! (wink).

Didn't alot of the Bulleids towards the end of steam have made up number plates made for the smokebox door?

Does anyone know what is currently happening with this loco at the Colne Valley Railway? Is it still a static exhibit?

35005CP wrote:Does anyone know what is currently happening with this loco at the Colne Valley Railway? Is it still a static exhibit?

Still basically a static exhibit though the owning group continue to obtain parts. Recently they have started fundraising towards sorting out the wrecked cylinder.

More info here: http://www.besps.org/

Thanks for the link - I've not seen this website in the past! There doesn't seem to be any more updates after Dec 2008?

35005CP wrote:Thanks for the link - I've not seen this website in the past! There doesn't seem to be any more updates after Dec 2008?

Youn may want to look on the Colne Valley website in case there is some more up to date info there.

If I can find the info re the Cylinder I will post the link.

I've had a look on the Colne Valley website and all is quiet there too. From the link that you sent it appears as though the cost for a new Cyliner is going to 15k. They have the wheels and frames for the tender in the form of a snowplough!!

35005CP wrote:I've had a look on the Colne Valley website and all is quiet there too. From the link that you sent it appears as though the cost for a new Cyliner is going to 15k. They have the wheels and frames for the tender in the form of a snowplough!!

I believe the snowplough is built on an old School's tender.

It will be interesting to see what they do with the cylinder as strangely they call it a "repair". I didn't know the piece that was blown off when the cylinder failed in BR service had survived! If it is a new cylinder they are after it will cost significantly more than the £15K they are banding about as for starters they will need to get a pattern made.

See following link for a recent picture of 35010:

http://kieranhardy.fotopic.net/p40797556.html

If you look at the following picture you can see the damage to the front of the drivers side cylinder:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/durace11/4432121729/sizes/o/

I've seen the pics and alike on the first link that you've posted. But not the second - The 2nd link you've sent look's to me an earlier picture? As I understand some remedial work has been done? And that side is definately the Firemans side.

How much does everyone think the new Cylinder cost for 5MT 73096 to be cast for the Midhants Railway? As far as I am aware patterns are around for new cylinders especially for Merchants/West Country Pacifics?
I didn't know or hear that the Cylinder had failed/blown off in BR service? Didn't 35010 last pretty much to the end of steam?

35005CP wrote:I've seen the pics and alike on the first link that you've posted. But not the second - The 2nd link you've sent look's to me an earlier picture? As I understand some remedial work has been done? And that side is definately the Firemans side.

How much does everyone think the new Cylinder cost for 5MT 73096 to be cast for the Midhants Railway? As far as I am aware patterns are around for new cylinders especially for Merchants/West Country Pacifics?
I didn't know or hear that the Cylinder had failed/blown off in BR service? Didn't 35010 last pretty much to the end of steam?

Sorry, typo on my behalf re the side of the loco (too used to Western loco's!). The second picture is the best one that I have seen that shows the damage.

The SVR had a Light Pacific pattern made for Taw Valley but I wasn't aware that one was about for a Merchant.

Here is a picture of the loco at the end of it's life after the cylinder failed.

http://railwayherald.org/imaging.centre/showimage.php?image=140425

Blasphemy!! You said the W**tern word!

It might not be damage - But just a temporary cover?

You are correct about Taw Valley. I was trying to remember back to what a Cylinder was made for. So thanks for the Memory refresh! They must have patterns though and drawings for a Cylinder for a Merchant around? Possibly the MNLPS might have one as we know how good the group are, especially with what they have done with 35028 over the years?

35012 wrote:Here is a picture of the loco at the end of it's life after the cylinder failed.

http://railwayherald.org/imaging.centre/showimage.php?image=140425

Good find - But a sorry sight that! Do you know what happened? Possibly same as what happened with 73096 at the MHR?

Any update on 35010 as all seems to be quiet? Are they making progress?

35005CP wrote:Any update on 35010 as all seems to be quiet? Are they making progress?

No major activity at present as the owning group are concentrating work on their Black 5. As far as 35010 is concerned they are waiting for method aproval for the repair to the loco's right hand cylinder. As I recall the repair will be carried out once aproval is gained.

35012 wrote:

35005CP wrote:Any update on 35010 as all seems to be quiet? Are they making progress?

No major activity at present as the owning group are concentrating work on their Black 5. As far as 35010 is concerned they are waiting for method aproval for the repair to the loco's right hand cylinder. As I recall the repair will be carried out once aproval is gained.

New Cylinder needed? Also is the loco owned by someone else? Hence the aproval that is needed?

35005CP wrote:

35012 wrote:

35005CP wrote:Any update on 35010 as all seems to be quiet? Are they making progress?

No major activity at present as the owning group are concentrating work on their Black 5. As far as 35010 is concerned they are waiting for method aproval for the repair to the loco's right hand cylinder. As I recall the repair will be carried out once aproval is gained.

New Cylinder needed? Also is the loco owned by someone else? Hence the aproval that is needed?

The owners "The British Steam Enginemen Society" (also owners of Black 5 45293) had been advised that the cylinder should be able to be repaired and this is what they were awaiting aproval for. More recently and as a result of the last Bulleid Locomotive Owners meeting it looks more likely that a new cylinder will be cast as it is cheaper than repairing the original (even when taking into account the cost of making the pattern as well).

Wasn't it the Owners of Taw Valley whom had a new Cylinder cast? Not sure if the measurements are the same with Merchant Navy's and West Country's, that they can use that cast?

35005CP wrote:Wasn't it the Owners of Taw Valley whom had a new Cylinder cast? Not sure if the measurements are the same with Merchant Navy's and West Country's, that they can use that cast?

Correct, Taw Valley had a new cylinder and a spare cast unfortunately however Light Paciffic cylinders are 16.375" X 24" where Merchant Navy cylinders are 18" X 24.

Hi all,
An update from BESPS regarding Blue Star.
It seems that they are fitting a temporary cab floor to allow public access to the footplate, with a donation box and interpretation panel.
Here is the full news. Lets hope they can start an overhaul properly on the loco??
Here is the link; BESPS