34046 slogs up Exeter bank pushing 34067 on Atlantic Coast Express
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2014
- Here is my dad's video of 34046 'Braunton' banking 34067 'Tangmere' from Exeter St Davids to Central whilst working "The Atlantic Coast Express" on 8th September 2014.
On a sunny summer day, locomotive 34046 "Braunton" slogs up the steep gradient leading to Exeter bank. The locomotive, resplendent in its British Railways Brunswick green livery, is hard at work as it pulls the prestigious Atlantic Coast Express. The train, consisting of a mix of maroon-colored coaches, is packed with holidaymakers and day trippers eager to reach the picturesque coastal towns along the Atlantic coast.
As 34046 tackles the challenging climb, the locomotive's exhaust billows out in thick clouds of steam, engulfing the surrounding countryside. The sound of the powerful locomotive's chuffing echoes through the valley as it fights against gravity, its wheels slipping and struggling for traction on the rails.
Meanwhile, up ahead, locomotive 34067 "Tangmere" provides assistance, pushing from the rear to help propel the train up the steep incline. With both locomotives working in tandem, their combined power is enough to conquer Exeter bank and ensure a smooth journey for the passengers on board.
As the train crests the summit, the strain on the locomotives eases, and the sounds of their laborious efforts diminish. The Atlantic Coast Express continues its journey, picking up speed as it heads towards the stunning coastal scenery that awaits its passengers.
For those on board, the sight of 34046 and 34067 working together is a spectacle to behold. The dedicated railway enthusiasts on the train eagerly snap photographs and exchange excited whispers, marveling at the engineering prowess of the steam locomotives.
As the Atlantic Coast Express rolls on, the passengers settle into their seats, enjoying the rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels and the gentle swaying of the carriages. They eagerly anticipate their arrival at the coastal towns, ready to soak up the sun, stroll along the sandy beaches, and make lasting memories of their journey on this iconic steam-hauled train.
Only just seen this. Phew!! Much enjoyed. I believe back in steam days they would not have sent a 12 coach train espec mk1s etc with just two locos even light pacifics. They'd have used three locos. On the day of the last steam hauled up ACE, 14 Aug 1964, original 34084 stalled with 5 coach Padstow section just below station. Ivatt no. 41321 was sent down to help. NB someone said about chain valve gear re 34046; but doesn't 34046 as a rebuilt have Walshaerts and no chains?
(tedgoater) Yes, no chains or other dodgy components but three sets of Walschaerts. The valve setting on one cylinder must have been way out for the exhaust to sound the way it did. You'd expect that sort of thing with one of those scatty originals but not with a rebuilt, surely. But 5 out of 6 seemed enough and there was a noticeable acceleration after the tunnel. Well-judged piece of driving, I'd say.
The heaviest load I know of taken up the bank unassisted was eight by a GWR Grange as a test in steam days. This leaves very little to spare and I don't think it became routine.
In steam days, 5 coaches was the limit, with at least one banker.
The Plymouth-Brighton was 10-12 coaches, plus two bankers and a pilot.
Really enjoyed that - Thanks..........
Excuse the pun, but that was an ace video....v good to get shots from the train. Both those drivers judged to perfection and really held their nerve. One little slip at the top of that climb by either engine and it would have been curtains……Hᴜɢʜ….Lɪᴋᴇᴅ…..ツ
Phew that was close. Strange choice of banking engine. ( I"d plump for an 8f ) . Thanks for uploading.
Brilliant, it was close! A Z class would have been ideal and is the 15mph restriction relevant - it's from a standing start.?
Z class at Exeter, that was along time ago. Remember them wll
I remember being on a steam trip hauled by Oliver Cromwell 70013 out of kings cross well we got going and when entered the tunnel we stopped it was ok at first but the carriages started filling with smoke it was unpleasant but we got going and out in the fresh air
Lovely Video of Steam working at its best. Does anyone know the Gradient of this location? Must be bloody steep for 2 pacifics to find the going tough. Looks like were talking Lickey Incline sort of gradient. Also how many coaches were on it?
Thanks.
1 in 36/7 off the top of my head?
*****
Should add full load of around 12 coaches or so,wasn't on the train myself so not sure as my dad filmed it.
The bank is 1:37, same as Lickey, and there were 12 coaches. I should think Tangmere emptied her sand-boxes on the climb, pumping sand as hard as she could.
1 in 37 - from a stand and curved. In steam days there used to be 0-8-0 tanks (Class Z?) for banking.
I keep running this video over and over.
Sounds like Braunton had a cylinder or valve packing problem, 1-2-3-4-5-whoosh.
Surprising that they never eased this wicked short grade, suppose it would have required a new tunnel on a different alignment.
Wonderful video.
Yes, 34046 had a beat missing and I think the problem is the valve gear being seriously out of adjustment. For that to be apparent in full gear (presumably) the error must have been huge. It means that one end of one cylinder is doing almost no work at all. The Bulleid valve gear is susceptible to that sort of thing and a look at an engineering diagram of it will show you why. For instance, the final motion is amplified in the ratio 8:3 by a rocking lever, a very unsound feature as it amplifies any backlash as well as adding its own. Then there's the weird and wonderful chain drive. A Disorderly Locomotive but great fun.
Thanks for a well shot vid.
Just watched this!
34046 sounded like an exhaust edge had gone on one valve.
They never do sound good in back gear.
The valve gear is 3 independent sets driven off return cranks & inside eccentric. As modified by Ron Jarvis, so in essence a 3cyl Britannia, not Bulleid.
There was nothing wrong with the original design, if kept up, a superb valve gear in my experience. Exmouth junction did wonders with them.
Incidentally, a load like this would have been banked by two engines in steam days & certainly not tender or bunker first with the inherent risk of priming on such a steep gradient. If it happened it was the exception rather than the rule.
That’s what I said Steam Crane, every sixth beat was a leak.
It's 1:36, tight curves and tunnel with a 15mph restriction at the bottom. About as tough as it comes!
The 159s have to work hard up that gradient.
But they go up easy
If every coach had its own steam engine, this train would fly up the bank. That is not a fair comparison really.
Sounds like there’s something wrong with the Loco.
Just working very hard up a 1 in 36!
@@alberta45562 Hi Mark, it just sounds like “in the tunnel” one cylinder is leaking pressure ?