A theme that carried on into preservation. The Northiam extension was originally relaid with 75lb rail from a Kent coal mine and there was only one diesel shunter that could use it. I suspect that was to allow works trains past Wittersham Road, as I recall we met one and hitched a lift.
The Civil Engineer’s Department is the enemy of every Locomotive Designer ever born. Except those rare ones who have worked in both departments(I believe there have been three in all human history).
A classic example of this clash must be the Highland Railway incident of 1915.
Frederick G Smith designed some big 4-6-0s - the River Class - and had six of them built by Hawthorn Leslie. He omitted, however, to consult the Civil Engineer as regards axle loading, and the CE flatly refused to allow them to work anywhere on the Highland system. The Caledonian Railway bought them, and used them for many years - they were perfectly good engines...
Smith resigned forthwith, but lived on for many years - he died in 1956.
If the Caledonian Railway paid only £500 each for six brand-new locomotives, that was a real bargain!
Hammer blow! According to Wiki, they would indeed have been able to run on some lines, taking into account this then less-understood effect. Interesting.
Maybe he was, but his unfortunately cold relationship with the Civil Engineer deprived the Highland Railway of a fine locomotive, at least until LMS days. Wiki tells us that the last one went in 1946.
Smith doesn't seem to have designed any other locomotive for the Highland, or anyone else, which is a pity IMHO.
According to Phil Atkins in data from the 1928 Report of the Bridge Stress Committee that he quotes in The Scottish 4-6-0 Classes p87, the Rivers had one of the lowest combined axle loadings (hammerblow plus static loading) of any of the classes analysed; 21.95 tons at 6 rev/sec. The design of the Rivers has been compared to the LSWR H15, which came out at 30.35 tons. The Highland locomotives all showed lower values than any of the Caledonian 4-6-0s.
This may be a tad off-topic, but may I take this chance to recommend the novels of Stephen Done?
These are railway detective stories centred around the former Great Central in the 1940s and 1950s. Very entertaining, although they are mainly located around that part of the company's line south of Annesley Junction. (The least interesting bit, in my biased opinion.)
I have started reading through them with much enjoyment. A lot of the locos get a mention.
Mrs RR and I spent a most pleasant day going back and forth on the North Norfolk Railway. Sheringham to Holt via Weybourne and back. The stations have been splendidly restored, volunteer staff were in proper uniform and our ticket was authentically clipped on the train. There were model railways at Holt and Weybourne and the buffet (not inauthentic!) wasn't half bad.
The only disappointment was that, because of the drought, we were hauled by a 1960's diesel engine. There was, however a working steam loco in the station and many more in the sidings.
Well worth a visit if you're in the area.
I'm old enough to remember seeing, when on a school field trip, the NNR at Sheringham before it had opened! My late mother lived in the area so I knew it well, not been there recently though.
Comments
Mr Austen, BR, and the Preservation Society, all made improvements. Perhaps one day we shall see a Bulleid Pacific steaming up Tenterden bank...
Frederick G Smith designed some big 4-6-0s - the River Class - and had six of them built by Hawthorn Leslie. He omitted, however, to consult the Civil Engineer as regards axle loading, and the CE flatly refused to allow them to work anywhere on the Highland system. The Caledonian Railway bought them, and used them for many years - they were perfectly good engines...
Smith resigned forthwith, but lived on for many years - he died in 1956.
The Wikipedia article on the Rivers - as you can see, they were quite impressive engines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Railway_River_class
If the Caledonian Railway paid only £500 each for six brand-new locomotives, that was a real bargain!
Bend it like Britannia!
Hammer blow! According to Wiki, they would indeed have been able to run on some lines, taking into account this then less-understood effect. Interesting.
Smith doesn't seem to have designed any other locomotive for the Highland, or anyone else, which is a pity IMHO.
These are railway detective stories centred around the former Great Central in the 1940s and 1950s. Very entertaining, although they are mainly located around that part of the company's line south of Annesley Junction. (The least interesting bit, in my biased opinion.)
I have started reading through them with much enjoyment. A lot of the locos get a mention.
The only disappointment was that, because of the drought, we were hauled by a 1960's diesel engine. There was, however a working steam loco in the station and many more in the sidings.
Well worth a visit if you're in the area.