31806 on the main line

[Dorsetmike]

Swanage Railway's  SR U class 31806 on a test run from Swanage >Wareham>Weymouth>Yeovil and return,

Some awesome sound on the climb from Weymouth to Bincombe tunnel.

[Newportnobby]

Oh, the ignominy of being dragged around backwards by a chip fat fryer but at least the U class had it's revenge

Daft question time - for similar size locos how come the U class weighed 50 tonnes or so more than an N class please?

[dodger]

As far as I can find out the weight difference was about 7.25 tons. The U class weighed in at 110.75 tons and the N class at 103.5 tons according to SEMG.

Dodger

[Newportnobby]

As far as I can find out the weight difference was about 7.25 tons. The U class weighed in at 110.75 tons and the N class at 103.5 tons according to SEMG.

Dodger

My 1964 Observer's Book of Railway Locomotives of Britain gives the N class weight as 61 tonnes 4 cwt.
I can only assume this is a mistake as such a loco would weigh more than that, hence the question.
Your reply is a far more sensible weight.

[Hailstone]

Mick,

the 61 tons is probably the loco only, remember that the tender in working order would weigh around 40 tons

Regards,

Alex

[Newportnobby]

That was my guess, Alex, but the weights are shown without specifying anything...........just 'weight'
Wickedpedia cites:-

U class 110t 14cwt
N class 103t 12cwt

Must just be an error in the Observer book

[Hailstone]

Actually, Wikipedia says total weight

Regards,

Alex

[Train Waiting]

I hope this helps; I have dimensions diagrams for both classes.

'N': Loco - 61tons 4cwt  Tender - 42tons 8cwt.  Total 103t.12c.

'U': Loco - 62tons 6cwt  Tender - 42tons 8cwt.  Total 104t.14c.

I assume that the additional 1ton 2cwt was due to the 'U' being a 3" bigger engine in height (12'10" as opposed to 12'7").  The wheels would certainly be heavier as 6' on the 'U' and 5'6" on the 'N'.  The frames would likely be a bit heavier on the 'U' and, of course, it had splashers as well.

Nice engines and good to see the film of 31806.

Incidentally, the 'U1' was only 1ton 1cwt heavier than the 'N1'!

Best wishes.

John

[Newportnobby]

Thanks, John.
The book obviously gives the weight of the N loco only and the U as a total.

[crewearpley40]

worth a look at the youtube clip

SR U Class 31806 On Main Line Test Run 5Z42 Storms Through Upwey On Friday 13th April 2018

[Newportnobby]

[crewearpley40]

thats the one


bit slow today, after being woken badly at 2 am

interesting and nostalgic