How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

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Steamchris
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How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by Steamchris »




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E54HUQYeFNg


Hi guys,

i've seen this footage on the german live steam board.
What a wheel slip can do!!!!!


Regards Chris
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Steamchris
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by Steamchris »

Hi,


here another terrible slip....




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft2RD9c_T34





Regards Chris
Last edited by Steamchris on Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Harlock
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by Harlock »

The story:

"In 1994, during the first run of a preserved steam locomotive from Edinburgh to Newcastle, 60532 suffered extensive damage during a catastrophic uncontrolled wheelslip.

During an unscheduled stop at Durham station the inexperienced footplate crew overfilled the boiler. As the train departed south across Durham viaduct an initial slip was poorly controlled by the driver, who then reopened the regulator too early, probably worried about stalling on the bank up to Relly Mill. The force of the initial slip caused the boiler to prime, carrying water over into the regulator valve and jamming it open. This allowed passage of steam through to the cylinders, perpetuating the slip and accelerating the driving wheels. When the driver attempted to wind the reversing gear back into mid-position to halt the slip, the force of the motion spun it into full-forward position, and the driving wheels reached a rotational speed of 140 mph before the cylinder heads blew off and the motion disintegrated.

The driver suffered major injury to his arms, as a result of the screw reversing lever whipping around when he released it. The accident brought to light the importance of train crews being trained on the specific locomotives they were driving, rather than simply a common general instruction on steam locomotives. Neither the driver or fireman had ever worked 60532 before, and were unaware of the locomotive's sensitivity to priming, which led to the accident.

Post 1994

The damage to the motion, cylinders and driving wheels was devastating. Moved to Thornaby MPD, the repair work took 18 months to complete.[1] 60532 was then moved again to the NYMR for running in. At this stage the second whistle was disconnected, as in all videos of this loco after the event only the standard LNER whistle is heard. However, it is still in place behind the fireman's side deflector. It resumed its mainline career in November 1996, working a charter from Middlesbrough to Preston via Newcastle and Carlisle.[1] In 1998 60532 ran an Edinburgh to London excursion to mark the 40th anniversary of the Blue Peter TV programme, passing through Durham on the way.

60532's mainline boiler certificate expired in September 2001 by which time it was again based at the NYMR, where it worked until the end of the 2002 season.[1] It was subsequently displayed at the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum. On 22 May 2007 BBC Look North News reported that the locomotive was being moved into storage in Chesterfield, due to the renovation of the museum, and would not be returning.

60532 is now based at Barrow Hill Engine Shed in Derbyshire, with the NELPG looking to raise £600,000 for restoration of the locomotive to main line running.[1]

60532 has been repainted from British Railways Brunswick green into British Railways apple green livery, similar to the first livery used on the A1 Class 60163 Tornado, ."
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Steamchris
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by Steamchris »

Hi Harlock,

thanks for the info!!!

Regards Chris
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doublereefed
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by doublereefed »

Crazy. I hadn't seen this. I googled around and couldn't find any photos of the resulting damage. Does anyone have a link to that?
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by kcameron »

Once the regulator jammed from the water, could a good crew have done anything??

Only guess I can come up with is opening all blow downs to try to lower the water and pressure. And of course trying to stop that before the crown sheet got dry.

So I'm hoping there are some who know if there was anything to do at that point besides watch it blow.
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aopagary
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by aopagary »

doublereefed wrote:Crazy. I hadn't seen this. I googled around and couldn't find any photos of the resulting damage. Does anyone have a link to that?
this picture was posted in a writeup about the accident, but comparing this shot to picture of 60532 it doesn't look like the same locomotive though it appears to have suffered a similar result.
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Fender
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by Fender »

I believe that many years ago (1970s?) Southern Railway 4501 suffered a collapse of its dry pipe while under steam, which rendered the throttle useless and allowed full boiler pressure to the cylinders. Fortunately the engineer was able to control the loco using engine brakes and the power reverse. No further damage occurred, but I'm sure it was a harrowing experience!
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by johnpenn74 »

How does water jam the regulator (throttle valve, right?) in the open position? If it was a block slide type maybe it could be lifted right? How would that be different from any other time with pressure in the boiler? But this is a modern engine, surely it has some kind of balanced throttle mechanism to prevent this kind of problem?

Leads me to my second question, why did the valve gear screw wheel take off? We are not talking a failed power reverse or something.... Is there a back force on the radius rod that wants to push any valve gear into the foremost or reversemost position?

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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by marshall5 »

Harlock wrote:The story:

"In 1994, during the first run of a preserved steam locomotive from Edinburgh to Newcastle, 60532 suffered extensive damage during a catastrophic uncontrolled wheelslip.

During an unscheduled stop at Durham station the inexperienced footplate crew overfilled the boiler. As the train departed south across Durham viaduct an initial slip was poorly controlled by the driver, who then reopened the regulator too early, probably worried about stalling on the bank up to Relly Mill. The force of the initial slip caused the boiler to prime, carrying water over into the regulator valve and jamming it open. This allowed passage of steam through to the cylinders, perpetuating the slip and accelerating the driving wheels. When the driver attempted to wind the reversing gear back into mid-position to halt the slip, the force of the motion spun it into full-forward position, and the driving wheels reached a rotational speed of 140 mph before the cylinder heads blew off and the motion disintegrated.

The driver suffered major injury to his arms, as a result of the screw reversing lever whipping around when he released it. The accident brought to light the importance of train crews being trained on the specific locomotives they were driving, rather than simply a common general instruction on steam locomotives. Neither the driver or fireman had ever worked 60532 before, and were unaware of the locomotive's sensitivity to priming, which led to the accident.

Post 1994

The damage to the motion, cylinders and driving wheels was devastating. Moved to Thornaby MPD, the repair work took 18 months to complete.[1] 60532 was then moved again to the NYMR for running in. At this stage the second whistle was disconnected, as in all videos of this loco after the event only the standard LNER whistle is heard. However, it is still in place behind the fireman's side deflector. It resumed its mainline career in November 1996, working a charter from Middlesbrough to Preston via Newcastle and Carlisle.[1] In 1998 60532 ran an Edinburgh to London excursion to mark the 40th anniversary of the Blue Peter TV programme, passing through Durham on the way.

60532's mainline boiler certificate expired in September 2001 by which time it was again based at the NYMR, where it worked until the end of the 2002 season.[1] It was subsequently displayed at the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum. On 22 May 2007 BBC Look North News reported that the locomotive was being moved into storage in Chesterfield, due to the renovation of the museum, and would not be returning.

60532 is now based at Barrow Hill Engine Shed in Derbyshire, with the NELPG looking to raise £600,000 for restoration of the locomotive to main line running.[1]

60532 has been repainted from British Railways Brunswick green into British Railways apple green livery, similar to the first livery used on the A1 Class 60163 Tornado, ."
With respect Mike one shouldn't believe everything posted on 'Wackipedia'. There was a recent post on National Preservation which described the incident from the 'inside'. Apparently the loco wasn't priming at any stage but caused wholly by driver error. Despite being reminded several times the driver failed to engage the catch on the screw reverser allowing the handle to spin round severely injuring his arm and rendering him unable to close the regulator to control the slip. The owner's rep had to cross the footplate to shut the regulator by which time the damage was done.
The other photo is of Standard 5 73096. In this case the damage was caused by water carry-over. Hope this helps set the record straight. Ray.
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by Trainman4602 »

I guess they never heard of sanders
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Re: How to distroy a steamlocomotive with a wheel slip

Post by Fred_V »

Trainman4602 wrote:I guess they never heard of sanders
Sanders? The Brits don't need no sanders!
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