Re: [Vic] West Coaster 15/7 Sat

["Mike Hunt" <grime@nexremovenet.au>]

Stuart
Do you know if any plans have been made for a substitute steam service in
the interim?
This type of accident seems to bear out the logic of having the 2nd R,I
wonder how far that is from service.
Graeme
"Stuart Thyer" <s.thyer@anatomy.unimelb.edu.au> wrote in message
8ktce6$3sf$1@ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au">news:8ktce6$3sf$1@ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au...
>
>
> ----------
> 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