Another big beast let loose. Deltic 55 009 Alycidon back on track

kevsmith Mar 31, 2023

  1. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    You may recall my Super Saturday posts when I featured the first outing on the main line for ages when 55 022 'Royal Scots Grey' blasted up Shap

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    Now we have another out on its first test train, The Deltic Presevation Societies 55 009 'Alycidon came up to Carnforth on Thursday from Barrow Hill for a run to Carlisle back

    Finished in railblue

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    As is usually the case a loco was attached to the rear, in this case one of West Coasts class 57s
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    Knowing a thing or two about Deltics that oil stain down the side is not healthy

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    This was the loco that had the infamous traction motor flashover at Berwick at high speed that has become the subject of much speculation as to the cause (Throwing the reverser in at 90 MPH?) and has been sidelined since 2019 in the DPS shed at Barrrow Hill

    Seen just before the incident passing under Lockoford Lane bridgein 2019 en route from Barrow Hill roundhouse

    [​IMG]

    Kev
     
  2. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    A cutaway of the mighty (British) Napier Deltic opposed piston, 2-stroke diesel engine. They were used in locomotives, boats, and FDNY's Super Pumper fire pump. Three crankshafts, 9 or 18 cylinders depending on model, and the 18 cylinder version was good for over 2000hp for short bursts. I think the continuous rated output was about 1800hp, with a 1000 hour life expectancy between overhauls.
    NapierDeltic.4.jpg
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow! Talk about seeming to be complicated! :eek:
     
  4. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I love the Deltics, complex and "troublesome" as they are.

    Doug
     
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  5. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Here's an animation I found on YouTube:



    Doug
     
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  6. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    They took the two stroke, opposed piston diesel to a new extreme with each crank shaft getting power from two of the three banks of pistons. I think the German company Junkers developed a two crank shaft flat version for use in aircraft in the early 1930s. Fairbanks and Morris came up with their own two shaft design at about the same time that were used in the US submarines in WWII. They still use a slightly modified version of the FM as backup power on nuclear submarines of the US Navy. The FMs worked great in stationary power generation and marine applications but were plagued with over heating problems in their railroad locomotives. The Soviets revers engineered the FMs and fixed the problems developing a more reliable railroad locomotive engine.
     
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  7. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    I love the British, but I think sometimes even they have to admit that some of them are bleeding barmy.
     
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  8. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    @kevsmith, re: "reverser in at 90 mph." These loco's have a cab on both ends. Sometimes the loco does not get enough sleep the night before. They become confused and do strange things. fyi. :p
     
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  9. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Shouldn't it be called a "forverser"?

    :D

    Doug
     
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  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Something seemingly complex, such as the appearances here, must cost a good deal of money and time to maintain.
     
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