The LNER Encyclopedia

Found this elswhere, can we try it somewhere?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LjnGrG6_oA

I've just had a quick scout round a few documents.. For example the ex LNER line from Lincoln, Sleaford and Spalding.. ''RA8 and Pacifics may be hauled provided there is no coal and water in the engine, and speed doesn't exceed 25 MPH''. This is the joint line and i think the length limit was 80 or maybe even 90 SLU. Though the cavalcade is impressive i'm not sure too many of our lines would be up for it. Something similar was in the press awhile back on the West Somerset Railway with a load of Western copper topped thing's. No one can really have thought stresses placed on embankments and underline structures on what is, after all, a branchline.. Rant over..

This brings up something that I've been thinking of recently: Other than bridges, how were safe loco/axle weight limits determined?


Richard

The Chief Civil engineer who would be in charge of the P.W. Dept would determine the safe weights etc in the days of British Rail but the question is how are these parameters formulated ?. I would assume the same responsibilties / parameters exist for Network Rail and their sub contractors. as it did for British Rail(ways) and former railways companies prior to 1948.
This is a paragraph from Network Rails placement prospectus.

Working alongside a Civil Engineer, you’ll examine, inspect and assess structures within Network Rail’s infrastructure, which could be anything from bridges and embankments to tunnels, cuttings, culverts, sea and river defences and retaining walls. It’s a process that we carry out every year to ensure that the assets remain safe and fit for purpose and that line closures and speed restrictions are kept to a minimum.

Writing reports and making recommendations to Asset Stewards (who then assess and scope any structural improvements), you’ll gain first-hand knowledge of how bridges are constructed (for example), how they work, how they deteriorate and so on. It’s the kind of rare insight you just won’t find anywhere else.
More detailed info can be found here but its hard going:-
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDire ... 2893&root=

I am not sure if this answers the question or not ?.

That could almost be a IT "white paper"!

It sort of answers the question. The application I was thinking of was the Aberford Railway. Entering the world of what-ifs, could it have taken a G5 for example? Okay it is my model so I can do what I want, but it is nice to know how much I'm bending reality

There's only one bridge I can think of and it was an over-bridge - it will give a height restriction, although 19th Century 4 wheel coach stock had no trouble with it. Track would have been lightly laid. Perhaps a culvert here and there + some road running! Ie. a hypothetical rail inspector might have insisted on a Y6 being used.


Richard

I've uploaded some general intructions to my website from a working timetable from 1963.

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p49780573.html

I'll upload the rest of the document if anyone is interested. It does show just how complicated thing's were..

Thanks - Yep those loco designers kept designing different shaped locos!

The 9F restrictions for the NE are interesting. The S160s also had a tendency to derail when in reverse in the NER area.

Richard