Re: [Vic] West Coaster 15/7 Sat

["Stuart Thyer" <s.thyer@anatomy.unimelb.edu.au>]

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In article <39706d8a$0$11136$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au>, "James C"
<noemail@emailsux.com> wrote:


>Took West Coaster today hualed by R711 as usual. The train comprise 6
>carriages+1 baggage van.
>I didn't find R711 is anymore noiser then other steam locos....
>
>Hundreds on fans greet as all the way to Geelong. R711 certainly is a fast
>loco, quickly pulled as away from the suburban of Melbourne at really high
>speed. However we develop problem near 137 KM post (between Winchelsea and
>Colac), apparntly R711's wheel was in trouble. Unconfirm rumor there was an
>obsticle placed on the track and the wheel hit the obsticle and got
>damaged....

James, no damage to wheels from obstacles, nothing was struck AFAIK. The
firemans side piston punched the end cover off the cylinder, shearing 16 of
22 1" studs in the process and destroying the cylinder cover. The cover most
likely passed under the train, reportedly striking cars on the way through.
It was nor found on Saturday. The main connecting rod has been bent S
shaped, the crosshead wedge (holds the piston rod to the crosshead) was
sheared in to 3 pieces, the return crank was badly bent, the radius rod
broken and the dieblock has suffered some distortion.
Steamrail staff were phoned by the train crew and requested to attend to
assist in stripping the motion gear so the loco could be pushed clear of the
section. 
It is unknown exactly what caused the failure, possibly the piston nut
working loose and striking the cylinder cover. For those with a copy of
Hudson Power who remember the photo of R 748? after dropping the main
connecting rod, the damage is similar, except much more has been damaged. R
711 can be expected to be out of service for a considerable amount of time,
parts are thin on the ground.


Stuart Thyer
Photographer
University of Melbourne