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D1015 suffers engine problems during test run for mainline return.

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Looking at RTT, It would seem that Western no. D1015 has been sent from Kidderminster to Avonmouth to work a cement service as far up as Gloucester, then back to Kiddie, is this actually the Western working it or is it a fault with the system!
And if it is the Wizzo, Is it on a proving run?
 
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Looking at RTT, It would seem that Western no. D1015 has been sent from Kidderminster to Avonmouth to work a cement service as far up as Gloucester, then back to Kiddie, is this actually the Western working it or is it a fault with the system!
And if it is the Wizzo, Is it on a proving run?
Test run ahead of its upcoming tours.
 

RKynaston

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Looks like it had problems, Railway Herald Railtours listings on their website are showing the 'Champion Torbay Express' now as 50007/50049 after 'D1015 had problems on its test run'. Such as shame for the DTG - lovely engine.
 

Cowley

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Looks like it had problems, Railway Herald Railtours listings on their website are showing the 'Champion Torbay Express' now as 50007/50049 after 'D1015 had problems on its test run'. Such as shame for the DTG - lovely engine.

That’s a real shame if so. Let’s hope it’s something reasonably straightforward to repair.

Edit - Having just had a look at wnxx it was mentioned that a possible seizure of the new engine may have taken place. Terrible news if so.
 

Ash Bridge

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That’s a real shame if so. Let’s hope it’s something reasonably straightforward to repair.

Edit - Having just had a look at wnxx it was mentioned that a possible seizure of the new engine may have taken place. Terrible news if so.
If true its to be hoped the power unit repairs will be fully covered by a warranty agreement? Can’t even imagine the cost of sorting this otherwise :(

Would have sounded just amazing from where you reside Mr C as it powered through Cowley Bridge Junc. Especially so on the return journey!
 

Cowley

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If true its to be hoped the power unit repairs will be fully covered by a warranty agreement? Can’t even imagine the cost of sorting this otherwise :(

Would have sounded just amazing from where you reside Mr C as it powered through Cowley Bridge Junc. Especially so on the return journey!

Yes I was looking forward to seeing it, and we were also thinking of booking another tour behind it at some point.
I’ll probably throw a bit of money in the pot tomorrow.
 

ainsworth74

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I feel like this locomotive might have fairly terrible luck! I'm sure it was supposed to haul a UK Railtour from Penzance to Paddington (Tornado having hauled the tour from Paddington to Penzance) but broke down in the weeks leading up to and had to be substituted with a 59 on the day. Hopefully they're able to claim on the warranty if it's a new engine and get this loco back to life before too long!
 

Cowley

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I feel like this locomotive might have fairly terrible luck! I'm sure it was supposed to haul a UK Railtour from Penzance to Paddington (Tornado having hauled the tour from Paddington to Penzance) but broke down in the weeks leading up to and had to be substituted with a 59 on the day. Hopefully they're able to claim on the warranty if it's a new engine and get this loco back to life before too long!

It’s definitely been a bit of a torrid time over the last few years.
I’m not sure what the arrangements were with this engine, as in did the group buy it from a company and install it or did they assemble it themselves from a basic engine block? They’re not the simplest of engines from what I understand.
Let’s just hope they’re covered for some of it, even if it’s not all of it…
 

Wilts Wanderer

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Unless I'm mistaken wasn't a replacement engine obtained from Germany to create a pool of several engines to cycle in/out of the loco? One of them was a non-standard power unit I believe, will be interesting to understand the circumstances of this latest setback.
 

Wilts Wanderer

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The one that siezed IS the new engine I believe. Sad for the DTG.

That IS indeed terrible news. I had tickets for the aborted London-Swansea-Plymouth-London tour a few years ago, seems it might be a bit longer before I can experience main line Western running again.
 

alexl92

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As someone who sort of understands diesel engines in cars but not in trains in the same way, what would cause the engine to seize? Lack of lubrication?
 

jonge88

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As someone who sort of understands diesel engines in cars but not in trains in the same way, what would cause the engine to seize? Lack of lubrication?

The principles are exactly the same despite the application, it could be big end bearings out of tolerance causing a drop of oil pressure, wrong grade of oil used causing oil temps to rise and seize due to poor protection on moving surfaces, out of spec machine work on the crank shaft or connecting rods, low oil level.. the list is endless. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it is to get correct information on tolerances etc. when working on a rare complex engine like one of these. Hopefully the crank and the block can be saved, I suppose it's better for it to have seized up rather than it having gone the other way and thrown a rod through the side, that would be fairly terminal.
 

Bessie

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I assume this failure will rule it out of being in service for the SVR Autumn Gala next weekend or maybe on a preserved line it can get by on one engine?
 

Cowley

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I assume this failure will rule it out of being in service for the SVR Autumn Gala next weekend or maybe on a preserved line it can get by on one engine?

I’d expect it to probably still run as it’s operated at a few of their galas on one engine only. It basically makes it a Type 2 power wise.
 

Strathclyder

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Such a shame to hear of this latest setback (bad luck does indeed seem to have followed Western Champion around these last few years), as she looked fantastic piloting the 66 on the aforementioned cement train (linked image below copyright of Martin Loader). A real kick in the teeth for the DTG no two ways about it. Hoping this can be sorted as quickly as is possible; I shudder to think how much it'll cost to do so.


I’d expect it to probably still run as it’s operated at a few of their galas on one engine only. It basically makes it a Type 2 power wise.
Yeah, much the same approach has of course been routinely applied to the Deltics at galas on heritage lines; a Deltic running on one engine is basically a Type 3 in terms of power output.
 

Alfie1014

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Bugger, only just caught up with the news on this. Am booked on Saturday’s tour which was supposed to be a substitute for the ill fated anniversary tour that didn’t happen, then COVID etc.... Beginning to wonder if I’ll ever get a Wessie on the Main line again! 50s better than a duff I suppose.
 
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