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| The Battle of the Atlantics; Kirklees Pictures | |
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| Topic Started: 13 Sep 2008, 08:31 PM (1,463 Views) | |
| colinpeake | 16 Sep 2008, 11:25 PM Post #31 |
MRW Digest Editor
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Some great photos Tom, Stuart and Dom, I suspect this may be one of the most-photographed events for some time... Thanks for getting my good side Dom....  Colin |
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Colin Peake MRW Digest Editor Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photos | |
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| bvr379 | 22 Sep 2008, 02:47 PM Post #32 |
Operations Manager
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It would be very interesting to hear how the various locos performed at the "The Battle of the Atlantics". Would it be possible for somebody to set out the technical differences between the locos and how such differences reflected in their performances? Unfortunately, I know very little about the locos concerned, although than they all look very nice. Obviously, I could look up their technical specs, but I know from experience that such information can be very misleading! |
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David Barnes Bure Valley Railway - The 15" gauge railway with powerful locomotives. Trains between Wroxham & Aylsham in Norfolk. Santa will be arriving soon, followed by Mince Pie Specials from 27 Dec 2009 until 3rd Jan 2010. For Bure Valley Railway info. see: BVR website, which includes timetables. | |
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| steves100uk | 22 Sep 2008, 03:53 PM Post #33 |
Director
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David. I would say the best 2 members to do this would be Badger064ST & sdashton. As they set up the gala and they didnt have a 4/4/2 there so it can not be said they favour a loco. Steve |
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| sdashton | 23 Sep 2008, 12:58 PM Post #34 |
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Porter
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As we said when we first planned this gala although we branded it the Battle of the Atlantics there was never really going to be a Battle we just liked the name and thought it was good for marketing. All of the atlantics are historically significant and part of our 15” gauge ancestry and there was never any chance of them being thrashed in some silly contest. That said they all worked hard over the weekend and while Steve says we’ve no bias not having a home based atlantic at the KLR, should there have been a contest I knew which loco would win before they even turned up………and with hindsight I would have been completely wrong! So how did they stack up? Well on paper – Of course they are all atlantics (4-4-2), Red Dragon is a class 10 smaller and lighter than the rest which are all ostensibly class 30’s so if there had been a contest she would have been out of the running. Then there is Synolda a Basset Lowke Class 30 and originally built for the Sand Hutton Railway at York. Clearly she’s still got some Yorkshire in her blood and is well used to hill climbing so has the right sort of pedigree. Sutton Belle is the older of the Sutton loco’s and was largely built using Basset Lowke components and indeed part built using their Class 30 drawings. Loss of the plans during the first world war meant the locomotive was completed differently and was modified again during overhaul at Sutton. Whilst both Sutton loco’s appear to have GWR style cylinders the cladding is purely cosmetic and inside is a conventional basset Lowke style cylinder and steam chest. The fourth locomotive is Sutton Flyer and while she cosmetically looks the same as Belle was built as more of an everyday workhorse. She has the same cylinders as Belle, the main difference between the two being that Flyers wheels are 1” smaller in diameter. The final loco then is Joan an Albion class built by Albert Barnes to a Henry Greenley design. She is slightly larger than the class 30’s. In reality at the KLR due to the very stiff gradients all passenger trains have to be air braked and only three of the visitors are fitted with air brake valves. This meant that only Sutton Flyer, Belle and Synolda were able to work trains on their own. Red Dragon operated with only one coach whilst the rest operated with a rake of four Sutton coaches. Joan had to double head all weekend due in part to the air braking and also due to her condition the decision being made not to stress her too much. Sutton Belle unfortunately suffered leaking tubes and then priming caused by porridge oats and would have been ruled out of any contest. She did of course run very successfully on Thursday & Friday. That left Sutton Flyer and Synolda which both worked trains on their own on occasions. Flyer proving to be the workhorse she was intended to be and Synolda showing she was a master at hill climbing. So if there was to be a contest and a winner it would be Blue! That said:- Best turned out loco would be between Belle & Red Dragon. Given that Red Dragon was confused and also thought she was Prince of Wales she scores twice and obviously wins that round. In terms of the best smelling is has to go hands down to Belle wafting the scent of porridge over her train. The dirtiest exhaust goes to Joan, being the only loco to have a go with the Kirklees coal. There was nothing in Synolda and Flyer for the haulage capability award so it’s a tie in this category. The trophy for the most epic run goes to Pet for her hour and fourty minute trek to Shelley. All in all then honours even over the weekend and an enjoyable time had by all. Before anyone asks if I had been a betting man I’d have had my money on Sutton Belle especially having taken her to Shelley on the Wednesday before she failed, never mind maybe we’ll have to have a re-run sometime! Kind Regards Stephen |
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| craiggluyas | 23 Sep 2008, 01:03 PM Post #35 |
Director
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I will hold you to that!!! 
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Craig Gluyas Talking to one's self is a sign of madness. I talk to my imaginary friend. | |
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| Badger064ST | 23 Sep 2008, 01:36 PM Post #36 |
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Driver
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As Stephen says above on paper there is not really much difference in the power/potential of these locos. Sutton Flyer felt more sure footed than the others, which is the loco I would have bet on before the event. Suprisingly we did not have mass bouts of slipping as some may have predicted (provided of course the pilotman was keeping the air compressor on top of the job). One thing Ian commented on when inspecting the locos for their fitness to run was how well designed and finished they all were. For example the blast pipe/nozzles are all quite small diameters which helps them make that wonderful noise and capable of steaming unbelievably well on short bursts of activity but the chimneys are all tapered inside to assist with the draughting, somthing some recent builders of locos ignore. The Sutton locos seemed to use more water than the other two big atlantics but then there tenders have bigger coal spaces whereas Joan and Synoldas tenders are predominalty water tanks. All the locos performed admirably and I even believe on one trip Joan did the lions share on the work while Synoldas driver put his feet up! Perhaps when we do the Second Battle of the Atlantics, sometime between 2013 and 2018 we could issue the drivers with a jousting stick so they can do battle in the passing loops! |
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http://stuartross.fotopic.net/ www.friendsofklr.co.uk Find us at Facebook to discover more about the Kirklees Light Railway http://www.facebook.com/pages/Huddersfield-United-Kingdom/Kirklees-Light-Railway/152198742256 | |
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| little giant | 23 Sep 2008, 07:02 PM Post #37 |
leader RMR crazy projects
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well with our hand rail wobbling forwards on the saturday we came ready fitted with jousting stick |
| It may only be 15" but it is fun to play with | |
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| DevilDrummer | 23 Sep 2008, 07:12 PM Post #38 |
Director
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I think belle came with a hot water gun. |
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"Humans are so smart, they dont even need a meteorite to destroy themselves, like the stupid dinosaurs did!" http://devildrummertom.fotopic.net | |
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| glastonrail | 23 Sep 2008, 07:38 PM Post #39 |
Dommo
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Trying to subtly say something about Shelly Woodhouse tunnel on the Sand Sutton Express there, Stuart???  All four Atlantics were certainly admirable performers, proving that an "old" design can still prove itself as useful among more modern traction (the KLR's home fleet in this case), if not as outright powerful or techinically advanced (bar the tapered chimneys). It really will be difficult to top such a great weekend. Cheers, Dom Greenop DMR |
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"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985 Dragon Miniature Railway, Stockport http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway | |
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| Rhylmr | 23 Sep 2008, 08:27 PM Post #40 |
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Ticket Collector
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Synolda has a sharper, louder chuff than Joan, and is generally quite efficient for her size. The Hunts, who for the greater part built Sutton Flyer, had traction engines. Although they stayed with the same overall profile they understood the value of making everything as massive as they could do. I am sure that there is scope to increase the efficiency of both our (working) steam locos, but there is also variation in fuel consumption depending upon how well the fire was being managed, ie who was driving. We could commission a study into the science of the matter; the problem is that by the time we do this then implement the findings I think the payback period of doing the work, in terms of operating costs saved, would be well in excess of ten years, given the circumstances in which our locos run. This is why we're not at the moment too worried, this and not having the money for additional engineering work in the first place. If however, David, you would like to sponsor such a study then be our guest! Ta Simon |
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| bvr379 | 23 Sep 2008, 09:01 PM Post #41 |
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Operations Manager
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Thank you all for the information above. I am sure that all the forum members have / will find it most interesting. Although the BVR locos are rather larger, I must say that I like the looks and "atmosphere" on the smaller locos. As for sponsorship, the BVR is also looking for it.  However, in the meantime we are getting all out "Certificate(s) of Compliance" off to HMRI for "type approval(s)" before the end of September 2008! |
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David Barnes Bure Valley Railway - The 15" gauge railway with powerful locomotives. Trains between Wroxham & Aylsham in Norfolk. Santa will be arriving soon, followed by Mince Pie Specials from 27 Dec 2009 until 3rd Jan 2010. For Bure Valley Railway info. see: BVR website, which includes timetables. | |
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| Black Thunder | 14 Oct 2008, 12:12 PM Post #42 |
Maplins administrator
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Hi all. Theres some great photos on here i only wish my computer was working. Sadly i have had to cope with the computers at my local library so i have been unable to upload my photos of the event, as soon as i get my computer up and running i will load them up. All the best, Michael P.S. Thanks Stuart for allowing me to join in and help (or was it hinder ) on the Sunday.
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The day after tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life. So you've got a couple of days to do what you want. http://www.youtube.com/Markeatonlord http://www.markeaton-park-light-railway.webs.com | |
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| Allen Wiggins | 14 Oct 2008, 04:16 PM Post #43 |
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Guard
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Some good pictures I wonder if anyone can mension how many times i have been on here (pictures |
| If it aint steaming, it a diesel, so send it to the nearest scrap yard!!! | |
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