Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms steam train

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this came through the village today..( not my photo).

DB

Lovely, is that a Merchant Navy Class?

I think that's 34067, Tangmere. Battle of Britain Class, which included the West Country Class. These are the 'light pacifics', which were evolved from the Merchant Navy Class, which had limited route availability. By reducing weight.

"In order to improve on the route availability of the Merchant Navy class with its 21-ton axle loading, the weight was reduced by 5 tons"

This one is "unrebuilt" and so still has the chain driven valve gear which runs in an oil bath.

Yes its Tangmere Battle of Britain class, it came from Liverpool via York and on to Scarborough and returned back to the dark side.

DB

DaveW and B3MOG for putting me straight!

And pigs to fire according to my Dad

I had the pleasure of a journey behind Tangmere a couple of years ago, on the NorthernBelle. Up to Penrith, then back down the Cumbrian coast. We stopped at Penrith for a short break and I had the opportunity to climb onto the footplate and chat to the crew. Apparently, two firemen were non-stop shovelling coal all the way up Shap, but she flew up there remarkably well.

First saw Tangmere at Nine Elms shed in the 60s. Now all built over.

All the Southern Pacific’s were a sight to behold when at the Waterloo concourse.

Firegrate apparently is 48.5sq ft.

So if its 5ft wide, its over 9ft long. Thats serious shovelling even if it steams well.

Sometimes when I got home from school, I had to barrow a ton of coal from the road, tip it outside the coal house door, and shovel it in. That was tough enough.

Ah, reminds me of my misspent youth chasing around the London Termini and elsewhere with my Ian Allan book of engine classes and numbers.
Can't imagine 14 year olds doing that these days.