*Trouble on the VoR* Vale of Rheidol Tanks switch trains at Aberffrwd

During the 20's and 30's weekend on the 17th September 2017, an issue occurred on VoR Tank No.8 and the decision was made to swap No.8 and No.1213 (No.9) at Aberffrwd. A confusing shunt followed! Here is my video of said event!
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[@JacSGWR]

Loco No.8 was priming badly which is why the loco swap was carried out.

[@AaronThompson]

Ah right, thanks for the info! Was wondering what the problem was!

[@tomlee9534]

If someone showed me the road leading to that level crossing on a model, I’d think it was badly done. You just don’t get roads that steep and gradient changes that sharp in real life!

[@gquayle]

considering that they are some of the most reliable locos in preservation, this is a very rare occurrence.

[@dunxy]

Reminds me a lot of our local narrow gauge (2'6") Puffing Billy here in Vic Australia, environment similar and locos sound a fair bit alike!

[@AaronThompson]

Have heard of the the Puffing Billy, its one thats on the list for the future! If you ever come for a visit to the UK its very much worth the visit!

[@trainman9024]

@@AaronThompson Puffing billy is a fantsic railway it's worth the visit

[@kineticrail]

Interesting video. Did you find out the reason for the manoeuvres.

[@AaronThompson]

We were just told it wasn't producing heat properly but according to the comment below 'No.8 was priming badly'!

[@grahamfrench340]

There must be something wrong with my eyes as it looked as though 1213 was the one with the problem.

[@AaronThompson]

Nope Graham, 1213 was on the down train and the crew of no.8 got in contact and said that there was a problem with no.8 and it wouldn't be able to make it to the summit. So 1213 on the down train switched to the up train so No.8 could just coast down hill back to Aber to be fixed!

[@markjohnson9301]

Forgive my ignorance but what causes poor priming?

[@bigkiwimike]

Priming can be caused two ways. The first is to have too much water in your boiler. This is a mistake by the fireman. The water is then picked up and carried along with steam into the valves and cylinders. This washes oil out of the cylinders and valves and can cause a lot of wear. In the worst case scenario, the cylinders will hydraulic. This can blow out the cylinder ends, bend piston rods and or smash the cylinder castings. Not good.
The other way is to have dirty water in the boiler. As a boiler is in service, any impurities in the water get left behind, just like in your kettle. Boilers are washed out at regular intervals where the water is dropped out of the boiler and a high pressure hose is used to wash the muck out. If you fall behind with this, the water gets soupy and a scum sits on top of the water and this can also be picked up and washed through the cylinders as well.
Last week I was driving a loco which needed a washout. Although the water was nowhere near a high level, big fluffy “clouds” of steam would come out of the funnel. The chuff of the loco changed to a “woof” and was very noticeable. The procedure then is to close the throttle and open the drain cocks on the cylinders and let the loco settle down again. I hope this helps.
th-cam.com/video/tVh0lpmgJ3Q/w-d-xo.html
This is a video from the Silverton Railroad. Have a look at the 35:18 mark. This is what can happen when you hydraulic a cylinder.

[@m18tankdestroyer43]

@@bigkiwimike ….Thank you.

[@smitajky]

@@bigkiwimike I would have thought that if the boiler was overfull excess could be released via the blowdown valve, or if all else failed, turning on an injector WITHOUT turning on the water supply valve. Which would have made that condition correctable. Although bad water/dirty boiler could not be corrected so easily.

[@bigkiwimike]

@@smitajky You are right about using the blowdown to lower the water but with most locos you have to stop first to operate it. I’m not familiar with the other method you have suggested. That idea wouldn’t work on New Zealand locos with Sellars injectors.