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Great Central Railway Loughborough Leicestershire 26th January 2019

by Loose_Grip/Pete
GCR Winter Steam Gala 2019.

During our lay over in the Down Carriage Sidings I was left alone for a while on the footplate of our visitor from the Severn Valley Railway, Great Western Railway Manor 4-6-0 7802 Bradley Manor.

So what do you do after you've made sure the fire and water are in good shape and you've pulled some coal forward? Take a photo from the tender of course!
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11 comments

Nouchetdu38 said:

***************************TOP********************************************
2 years ago

Loose_Grip/Pete replied to Nouchetdu38:

Thanks!
2 years ago

GrahamH said:

An interesting 'office'.
Is the firehole flap raised to block what seems to be a secondary air hole in the firedoors when secondary air is not wanted?
I see 1 gauge glass but can't immediately see three try taps which I'd expect.
2 years ago

Loose_Grip/Pete replied to GrahamH:

Yes a great place to work!
The flap is to restrict the secondary air but lets more in than closing the doors themselves.
Typically Great Western there is only one water gauge! The black vertical lever on the left of the glass with its handle partially obscuring the pressure gauge actually closes/opens both top and bottom gauge taps at the same time. The brass vertical tap at the very bottom drains the water.
2 years ago

Diana Australis said:

Oh, I do love this Pete. Brings back ancient memories of taking my kids into the fiery engines of steam train excursions. I love the romance of steam even if it is not very labour efficient!
2 years ago

Loose_Grip/Pete replied to Diana Australis:

Thanks Diana. Very labour inefficient but very labour satisfying! Actually these days a labour of love.
2 years ago

GrahamH replied to Loose_Grip/Pete:

Thanks Pete. So you can't individually clear the gauge feeds. What then are the 2 taps to the right of the gauge? I commented on what seems to be the same lubricator type on a photo at that other site. Are the 4 outlets used? Wiki says this is a 2 cylinder loco. It appears to be easier to read than a Detroit British.
2 years ago

Annemarie said:

beautiful photo

Wish you a peaceful day!
2 years ago

Loose_Grip/Pete replied to Annemarie:

Thanks Annemarie.

Enjoy your day.
2 years ago

Loose_Grip/Pete replied to GrahamH:

My pleasure Graham. A bit crude but the two taps are also typical GWR. Instead of two water gauges the 2nd is replaced by those taps. In theory you can tell where the water level is by opening them to see whether water or steam shoots out. I have never used them although I have tried - both were jammed! Yes it is the same, a hydrostatic lubricator. The 4 sight glasses are for lubricating the left and right valve chests and cylinders
2 years ago

GrahamH replied to Loose_Grip/Pete:

Those two taps are named 'try taps', and I'm not being ironic. Ok on the lubricator.
2 years ago