Possibility of returning a NER locomotive to working order

[sirbrian]

On the subject of exposed switchgear on old D.C. electric locomotives, the Bo-Bo electric locomotives that used to run on the Metropolitan Line of London Underground between Baker Street and Rickmansworth had exposed switchgear in the cabs at each end. Everybody who travelled on these locomotives kept well away from these areas. I never heard of anyone ever being shocked by this switchgear, but I am sure that it must have happened at some time.

The preserved operational Metropolitan locomotive, number 12, was at the Acton Museum Open Day in March. I had the opportunity to go inside a Metropolitan locomotive again then. I was last inside one of these locomotives about 50 years ago. I was pleased to see that the previously exposed switchgear is now enclosed, with access doors on the front. The locomotive has been equipped with grounding brushes on the axle ends so that it can run on third-rail main lines as well as its home fourth-rail network. The locomotive has also been fitted with modern air brake equipment to suit main-line running today.

Like most Bo-Bo electric locomotives, past and present, the Metropolitan locomotives were rough-riding so-and-so's, tending to sway from side-to-side and roll-around at speed, especially on the long downhill sections of the line.

Sir Brian

[AndyG]

Slightly off the original topic but Sarah Siddons and the 1938 tube stock are running on the Metropolitan Line between Harrow and Amersham this Sunday.

http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whatson/131.aspx

Andy

[industrial]

I my NRM guide (approx 1980) it states that some of the interior partition in the cab have been removed to enable visitors to see the banks of starting resistors, so the drivers were not exposed to the danger of the electrical equipment so if it was to run again replacements will be needed and then be more authentic than it is now.

Don't forget to find a good supply of wagon to pull preferably full of stone to the same type as was quarried from around there this would be a good crowd puller.

[52D]

We will be ok with ES1 all you need to do is replace the leather curtains that separated the driver from the sparks.

[Rlangham]

That sounds like a good idea, I assume that the NRM loco is complete with all it's running and control gear as it was taken straight out of service into preservation. I suppose the voltage on Beamish tramway is also 600VDC so that could also be a consideration, although it is quite light track.
The North Tyneside Railway has an ex Harton Coal Company electric restored to running order, and I think that is also 600v; they had plans to run it with either a generator car or with a battery car, but I don't think that they have done it yet.

Hope no one minds me resurrecting this thread, but the North Tyneside Railway do operate the Harton electric bo-bo using batteries in a Harton Colliery liveried wagon which it tows behind. I'd be very interested to see it operate, but after e-mailing the museum and North Tyneside Railway Association it seems there's a lack of drivers for it so may not operate in 2012

[third-rail]

how about an em2 doing runs between pelaw and sunderland the only bit of heavy rail with the headroom on the overheads to run it (and at the right voltage dont know about the ampage )well one can dream.

[Rlangham]

We will be ok with ES1 all you need to do is replace the leather curtains that separated the driver from the sparks.

Resurrecting the thread again, visited Shildon again (bank holiday monday, VERY bad idea - should have learnt my lesson after a visit to NRM York during half term time last year!), and was fortunate enough to go in the cab of the ES1 (photos to come) - I asked about the leather curtains and according to the gentleman who showed me around, he's been told by those who used to work on the ES1's that it actually had wooden shutters

[52D]

rlangham I wonder if the leather curtains were NER/LNER era and wooden shutters BR. Im pleased this thread is ongoing. Thanks 52D

[PinzaC55]

ES1 would almost certainly require complete rewiring and I can't see the NRM allowing this, as their basic policy is to pickle locomotives.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

They do seem to confuse classic cars and locomotives an awful lot....

[Atlantic 3279]

I don't know if tells us anything about potential ES1 operation at Crich, but I hear (rumour)that they are happy to get rid of, rather than keep / restore, the "Immingham Car" because it is too large (long?) and / or too heavy to ever run on their system. If weight is a factor I imagine the ES1 is heavier still.

[paullad1984]

wasnt there a scheme to run the EM1@midland railway centre with a generator van?
How would this go down on the mainline, i.e EM2 hauling railtours with a generator van behind it?

[52D]

I don't know if tells us anything about potential ES1 operation at Crich, but I hear (rumour)that they are happy to get rid of, rather than keep / restore, the "Immingham Car" because it is too large (long?) and / or too heavy to ever run on their system. If weight is a factor I imagine the ES1 is heavier still.

Shame on them at Crich Atlantic. I like the Grimsby and Immingham cars and of course there are still a few items visible on the general route of the line.

[60041]

I have heard that the Immingham car is destined for Beamish.

[Horsetan]

I'm sure it would be alright, you would just need to make sure you were wearing a pair of wellies and some rubber trousers and you'd be fine; its only a bit of electricity, can't hurt anyone can it?

Famous last words?