I wasn’t quite sure about the extra two holes, which are near the front edge, from the original picture posted, but the enlargement now confirms this.
There is a bit of difference from A4 to A4 in this area, which I have picked up while researching my illustrations. I know from my latest illustration that 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley has 6 nuts and is also unique in having a run of bolts under the smokebox access panel.
Of course the first four (silver A4s) had a different layout to their smokebox plating, which they kept all their working lives.
Congratulations to your Father if it is hand held – very impressive!
A4 locomotive at Doncaster Works on 17th Sept 1961
Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard
Re: A4 locomotive at Doncaster Works on 17th Sept 1961
54JCC, I'm sure I echo the thoughts of many in wishing to see more of your father's collection when you have scanned them.73D wrote:Congratulations to your Father if it is hand held – very impressive!
Re: A4 locomotive at Doncaster Works on 17th Sept 1961
After considering everyone's comments so far I'll settle for around 95% certainty that the A4 frames and cylinders under repair are those of 60001; the other 5% says it's 60012 - until further evidence becomes available!
Thinking about why 60001's time out of traffic for overhaul was longer than usual is it possible that, with the production Deltics coming into service at that time (on the same day Dad photographed D9013 at Doncaster, newly delivered from Vulcan Foundry (on 14th Sept [ref. Napier Chronicles website]; see attached), and having just begun to scrap A3s, the motive power people were waiting to see how the Deltics fared on availability before committing to continuing heavy overhauls of A4s? Perhaps as it became clear that the reliability problems they'd had with the EE Type 4s would be repeated with the Deltics, and with the steam heat season coming round again, they realised that they were going to need the A4s for longer than they'd hoped and 60001's overhaul was taken forward. Perhaps someone who was dealing with these issues at the time has already committed something to paper (or maybe to this forum) somewhere?
Re. brsince78's request for more of these photos - as mentioned above, here's one for the Deltic fans to enjoy. As I said at the start, I'm gradually cataloguing my Dad's pictures and I have several more which I'd be really grateful if you guys will help me with identification of locations, dates, subjects etc. I hope they'll provide some interest/enjoyment too. The next one will be an out of the window shot on the same railtour, but I'm not sure where it was taken. Because the subject's different I'll be starting a new post for it.
Thinking about why 60001's time out of traffic for overhaul was longer than usual is it possible that, with the production Deltics coming into service at that time (on the same day Dad photographed D9013 at Doncaster, newly delivered from Vulcan Foundry (on 14th Sept [ref. Napier Chronicles website]; see attached), and having just begun to scrap A3s, the motive power people were waiting to see how the Deltics fared on availability before committing to continuing heavy overhauls of A4s? Perhaps as it became clear that the reliability problems they'd had with the EE Type 4s would be repeated with the Deltics, and with the steam heat season coming round again, they realised that they were going to need the A4s for longer than they'd hoped and 60001's overhaul was taken forward. Perhaps someone who was dealing with these issues at the time has already committed something to paper (or maybe to this forum) somewhere?
Re. brsince78's request for more of these photos - as mentioned above, here's one for the Deltic fans to enjoy. As I said at the start, I'm gradually cataloguing my Dad's pictures and I have several more which I'd be really grateful if you guys will help me with identification of locations, dates, subjects etc. I hope they'll provide some interest/enjoyment too. The next one will be an out of the window shot on the same railtour, but I'm not sure where it was taken. Because the subject's different I'll be starting a new post for it.
Re: A4 locomotive at Doncaster Works on 17th Sept 1961
54JCC: I think it likely that there were other reasons for 60001 being detained in works longer than was usual for a general repair than the arrival of the Deltics. As I said previously possibly something to do with the Work's holiday season or perhaps a delay in having some component needed. It is certain however that some Pacifics did receive one more general repair than might perhaps otherwise have been the case due to doubts over diesel reliability, particularly in cold weather. Several A3s in 1961 survived 'conditionals' awaiting a decision on repair/withdrawal and a few 60035/55/64 were picked off. A3 withdrawals would in all probability have begun in earnest in 1961, but were deferred due to the doubts mentioned. 'Generals' for A3s finally seemed to cease in autumn 1962, though 60041, a Scottish member of the class, had a 'general' at the very end of that year. The last ER A4 to have a general was 60010 at the very end of 1962, but A4s were outshopped normally up until this time. Several of Gateshead's A4s were also outshopped in 1962/63
- 60005/16/19/23, - though by the end of the summer timetable of 1962 they were reported as having no diagrammed Class 1 work. Scottish Region A4s were outshopped for longer, with 60009 at Doncaster in June- November 1963 and later 60019/24/34 were given heavy repairs at Darlington 1964/65 , as of course they still had regular duties on the Glasgow-Aberdeen route until 1966. It is apparent that the regions were ordered towards the end of 1962 to begin reducing steam stocks and this saw the beginning of large scale withdrawals, with the first 5 A4s going w/e 29/12/62, as well as whole classes becoming extinct on some regions. Ironically, this occurred as one of the worst winters of the century struck, often leaving the railways struggling for power.
- 60005/16/19/23, - though by the end of the summer timetable of 1962 they were reported as having no diagrammed Class 1 work. Scottish Region A4s were outshopped for longer, with 60009 at Doncaster in June- November 1963 and later 60019/24/34 were given heavy repairs at Darlington 1964/65 , as of course they still had regular duties on the Glasgow-Aberdeen route until 1966. It is apparent that the regions were ordered towards the end of 1962 to begin reducing steam stocks and this saw the beginning of large scale withdrawals, with the first 5 A4s going w/e 29/12/62, as well as whole classes becoming extinct on some regions. Ironically, this occurred as one of the worst winters of the century struck, often leaving the railways struggling for power.