The LNER Encyclopedia

Someone I know has suggested that the blast pipe jumper top, as beloved by Swindon, originated on the Great Northern Railway.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks,
Richard

Ay up, Solario!

Wouldn't have thought so. GWR engines traditionally used soft Welsh coal so a gentler blast would be of help. The GNR used hard Yorkshire coal so needed a strong blast.

I understand that the Atlantics were modified after it was found that hard work tore the firebeds to pieces but as to dates, can't help.

Thanks for your useful response BB.

I know that Stanier played around with them for a while, but that was his Swindon upbringing.

Not quite on topic but many of the old school drivers I worked with had made what was called a "Snickle" or knife which they jammed in the blast pipe of some Gresley or Ivatt engines to sharpen the blast.
They were not permitted but just about everyone knew of them and said nowt.

Ay up!

Common practice on the LNWR as well where they were known as "snaffles." Mind you, they thrashed thair engines to within an inch of their lives so needed all the help they could get....

Hi

On the Somerset & Dorset they were known as 'Jimmies' or 'Choppers'. A loco so (unofficially) fitted was said to have 'had its throat cut'. Info from Footplate over the Mendips by Peter Smith