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clive BRretired posted an update in the group
3 weeks agoHeritage – Standard Gauge (Give my right arm to understand Iger Walschaert)! The steam gear motion of perfection! Plus it deemed most possible that its expansion rod drop in its rocking radius link, Then it should drop to its longest stroke when engine was fast running boiler first! Doesn’t matter on heritage? As they don’t run so fast backwards to need turning! Turning was 3rd in line for likes of Clan line, Holland America or Gen’ st’ navigation or the like of, After bar service and coaling! We had a very big turntable at Exmth jct shed! I deviate? Driver would wind back the reverser to shorten the inlet stroke in the steam chest! Inclines (banks) or pulling away would excite the burning coals if fire door was shut! Todays Heritage finance director would look in dismay at the extra fuel burn! So drag it back quick to see a smile return on his or her face! 65 year ago my mate would wind his BSAs throttle open for his engine to bark so loud to be at the Isle of Man TT? Until the day he would hit a car! Rushed to the big Frenchhay hospital in Bristol, 2 days of will he live or die? He lived, Minus the use of his right arm amongst other serious stuff! When he was well enough? We took two of his nurses out with us? He needed (one) nurse to go out with him anyway! He was still far from well! So that’s why my drivers overalls are so clean! He simply ‘operates’ the engines reverser stroke while i as the fireman do all the dirty nursing jobs! And please don’t quote my Walschaert motion vocabulary! I know as much of the fitters job as to land a space craft on the moon! Plus i am getting strange railway stories to mind when drinking XL Classique coffee now! As well as the Hobgoblin ruby beer, 4*5 vol’?? And my typing is up to 7 letters a minute now!
