The BNR (another way)

[GeraldH]

The new points on the Pewsley extension have proved rather troublesome. Partly due to the scarcity of Peco points, a Bachmann curved point and three Hornby standard points were installed. The latest Hornby curved points have worked well at the junction and the Bachmann ones at first glance appear identical. There are, however, subtle differences in clearances which do seem to cause issues with some stock. The Bachmann curved point was causing regular derailments with finer profile wheels and was replaced some time ago.

The differences between Peco and Hornby standard Settrack points are more obvious and the Hornby point connecting the engine shed has been causing issues with departing trains. This is a real problem with some Mainline locos as well as the Triang DMU with its modern Hornby wheels.

The Re-railing Team got fed up with being called out every few days and the Operations Department found it increasingly difficult to work out which locos would safely negotiate the points. Due to the location of the point some electrical work was required and to reduce ground works cables were connected directly to the point before installation.

Installation is expected to take place shortly and there will hopefully be no more complaints about spilt beverages from passengers .

[GeraldH]

The gangers have been busy replacing the troublesome point at Pewsley.

Further comparison of the Hornby and Peco points have revealed that the curved check-rail begins slightly nearer the toe of the Peco point and this seems to be making a significant difference as no derailments have taken place since installation.

Meanwhile some steps are being added to the end of Platform Two making good use of recycled materials from an old footbridge and some telecommunications equipment (SIM card packaging).

[GeraldH]

The summer timetable has commenced and DMU services to England through the tunnel have been strengthened to 3 cars.

Meanwhile further improvements and landscaping have been taking place on the Pewsley extension and the push pull service is seen awaiting departure from Platform 1.

[Mountain]

Love those Triang DMU's.

[GeraldH]

Love those Triang DMU's.

It has been detailed and re-wheeled and is an excellent runner. It also has a certain charm as well as being robust and easy to service. A Limby 101, a re-wheeled Lima 121 with a Hornby body and a Hornby 110 are also allocated to the line running passenger services to England through the tunnel.

[GeraldH]

The summer timetable means that the preserved steam locos get a bit more use. One of the three Mainline Collett Goods is seen passing through the cutting just outside Pewsley.

The BNR goods service is seen passing in front of the new tree cover at the junction. Freight is generally handled by the line's diesels, so this is a fairly rare occurrence. The bogie bolster is seen loaded with timber (coffee stirrers secured with cotton) held in place by steel stanchions (panel pins).

[GeraldH]

Now that summer has arrived more of the services are steam hauled. The preserved Black 5 was not a regular on the branch in the past, but now that the line has been extended some of the larger locos do venture up there. The front bogie was derailing at both Globble Island and Ivygale and closer inspection revealed that the ramps for the automatic mail coach were slightly lifting the front bogie causing it to derail. The engineers managed to squeeze in some extra weight over the front bogie using some lead offcuts. They also took the opportunity to modify the bogie to accept the BNR's standard medium couplers which are a necessity with the line's sharp curves. A test run has proved successful and the loco will return to service after a quick touch up in the paint shop.

[GeraldH]

Crews allocated to the recently restored Mainline 4MT have been complaining about the lack of glazing in the cab. There is plenty of discarded perspex packaging in the workshop stores and so the team set about resolving the problem. The curves inside the cab made fitting the glazing very difficult. After a couple of attempts and some careful scoring of the material a one piece section was created each side.

Crews are much happier and the loco looks more complete as well.

[Mountain]

Nice......

[GeraldH]

The BNR's loco department have been looking to diversify the suppliers of their diesel fleet and develop some new mixed traffic diesels similar to their double cabbed Class 20. The railway also wants to promote its corporate identity rather than relying on preserved British diesels. At the moment the fleet is heavily dependent on small Heljan diesels (classes 14, 15 16 & 23), although there is also a Bachmann Class 25 and a Hornby Class 29. Issues of robustness and servicing (with an associated lack of spare parts) have become a concern particularly with the Heljan fleet and so the loco department have decided to look overseas to see if something can be adapted.

Several locos have now been acquired at advantageous rates and investigations into their potential are ongoing. The Bachmann diesels run very well, but the couplings are mounted on the body which causes major problems on the line's sharp curves. The AHM/Mehano ones don't run quite as well, but could be improved with extra pickups and they do have bogie mounted couplings.

Attempts may be made to Bonglicise some of them over the winter when more time is available in the workshops, this will ensure technical and visual compatibility with the line's other rolling stock. Parts of Class 58 diesels have recently been spotted in the workshops and there are rumours that some kind of USA/Class 58 hybrid might emerge...

[pete12345]

The BNR's loco department have been looking to diversify the suppliers of their diesel fleet and develop some new mixed traffic diesels similar to their double cabbed Class 20.

Attempts may be made to Bonglicise some of them over the winter when more time is available in the workshops, this will ensure technical and visual compatibility with the line's other rolling stock. Parts of Class 58 diesels have recently been spotted in the workshops and there are rumours that some kind of USA/Class 58 hybrid might emerge...

At a minimum, I'd suggest fitting buffers and compatible couplings. You'll have to have your engineers to some survey runs to check clearances around platform faces and potentially modify cab steps etc to fit. Those large slab sides would lend themselves well to some nice BNR lettering and/or a stripe of a contrasting colour (or should that be color?) amongst the sea of blue.

Many of the 'high nose' diesels were intended for bidirectional running, with the driver on the correct side of the cab when running "long hood forward" and that direction was often deemed to be forwards. Going backwards, the driver only has the short hood to see round.

[GeraldH]

The BNR's management seem to have taken their eye off the ball lately and have been preoccupied with other matters. The Mehano diesel has been working on a trial basis as management wish to diversify the fleet. Running has improved, but it does suffer from rather jumpy starts. It has also clobbered the platform at Pewsley. Further investigation has revealed that the builders did not follow the plans correctly and so the platform is too close. Some locos have actually become wedged in and needed towing out. Some alterations will be required, but even with these the overhang on the Mehano diesel may still cause a problem. There are, however, plans to tackle that as part of its Bonglicisation .

Meanwhile a small earth tremor caused the water crane at the junction to swing into the path of an approaching passenger train with devastating consequences. Fortunately the loco crew managed to cling on and no one was mortified.

[GeraldH]

... At a minimum, I'd suggest fitting buffers and compatible couplings. You'll have to have your engineers to some survey runs to check clearances around platform faces and potentially modify cab steps etc to fit...

You were spot on about clearances! Yes new buffer beams and compatible couplings are planned. The platform/overhang at each end may also be removed.

[pete12345]

... At a minimum, I'd suggest fitting buffers and compatible couplings. You'll have to have your engineers to some survey runs to check clearances around platform faces and potentially modify cab steps etc to fit...

You were spot on about clearances! Yes new buffer beams and compatible couplings are planned. The platform/overhang at each end may also be removed.

I'd start by modifying the protruding handrail, and replacing the end ladders with a more slender version, slightly further in. British diesels of a similar general appearance made do without any handrails along the body sides, and access via a ladder to a cab side door, so something like that may be a viable option.

Will you have working headlamps or are they against BNR regulations?

[glencairn]

Always an interesting thread with lots going on in a well constructed story. Well done.

Glencairn