Status of Locomotives
November 09, 2007

TTT are most grateful to K&ESR Engineering Manager, Paul Wilson, who has kindly provided the information on the locomotives which forms the basis of the following report:

No.3 “Bodiam”

Following an extensive period of operation in the high season, the engine has just come off washout.  Thankfully there are no problems at the moment and the engine is available for traffic.  Subject to the usual caveats “Bodiam” will be in steam working the B-set on services on the Blue timetable on the holiday trains between Christmas and New Year, as fellow Class 2 engine P-class 753 is being prepared for winter storage

No. 32678

We are now able to report that the reason “Knowle” failed it hydraulic test was due to a tube having a significant weld defect.  For reasons of confidentiality, this is all that may be stated for now.  Negotiations are in hand with the Insurers, via the Boiler Inspector, concerning the tubes left in.  The idea is to replace the failed tube and then see how they go.  The worst case scenario is being forced into replacing odd tubes in the event of further leaks.  This will avoid another and undesirable retube at this stage with the consequential stresses on the tubeplates; the anticipated usage would be around four years.