Is it possible for an A4 pacific to run on the Kent circular?

[Trainlog]

After last year saw Flying Scotsman come down to Kent for the first time, it made me wonder can an A4 do the Kent circular railtour? I can appreciate that for Tornado and Flying Scotsman it had to undertake some intensive studies from network rail to see if they would fit the loading gauge down here but eventually did pay off as they have both visited Kent. Is it possible for the SNG trust to bring 60007 down here?

- i am aware that Bittern is in the 1:1 collection in Margate but seeming as that came by road and static display, for this thread i will not count it for those reasons as i am looking for whether it can run the Kent circular in steam.

 

[4SubAsociation]

Tornado is new build and built specifcally so it can go anywhere (height of 13ft compared to orignal A1 of 13 ft 1in). It would be the same with P2 (they did have to make the width of the pistons smaller too) and probably all the other new builds that they are built to within the height/width required by Network rail.

As for Scotman, 20 years ago it was attempted to run Scotsman into Kent but was out gauge at the time. When i asked about the Gauging before the scotsman came down no one could provide evidence to say when it was gauged.

 

[zwk500]

From memory I don't think there's anything specific that would stop it - Kent is generally pretty gauge friendly for the lines the Steam circulars generally run on. The VSOE runs Clan Line, a Merchant Navy Pacific, regularly round Kent and I don't think that gets anything too far different from what the A1s and A4s got when they ran on the same routes.
I'm not sure how intensive the guaging studies would have needed to be either - A reasonable amount of Kent was cleared for W9 for the Channel Tunnel plans, and track etc rebuilt in expectation of freight loads so the Steam wouldn't have major problems.

 

[Trainlog]

Tornado is new build and built specifcally so it can go anywhere (height of 13ft compared to orignal A1 of 13 ft 1in). It would be the same with P2 (they did have to make the width of the pistons smaller too) and probably all the other new builds that they are built to within the height/width required by Network rail.

As for Scotman, 20 years ago it was attempted to run Scotsman into Kent but was out gauge at the time. When i asked about the Gauging before the scotsman came down no one could provide evidence to say when it was gauged.

From memory I don't think there's anything specific that would stop it - Kent is generally pretty gauge friendly for the lines the Steam circulars generally run on. The VSOE runs Clan Line, a Merchant Navy Pacific, regularly round Kent and I don't think that gets anything too far different from what the A1s and A4s got when they ran on the same routes.
I'm not sure how intensive the guaging studies would have needed to be either - A reasonable amount of Kent was cleared for W9 for the Channel Tunnel plans, and track etc rebuilt in expectation of freight loads so the Steam wouldn't have major problems.

That is great to hear that there is nothing stopping an A4. Yeah typically when Kent has railtours we either have regular performers (Clan line, Mayflower, Braunton, Bahamas and various black5s) or an occasional visitor such as Scotsman's first trip last year.

Would be nice if 60007 could make a trip round Kent next year even for a one off railtour.

 

[zwk500]

That is great to hear that there is nothing stopping an A4. Yeah typically when Kent has railtours we either have regular performers (Clan line, Mayflower, Braunton, Bahamas and various black5s) or an occasional visitor such as Scotsman's first trip last year.

I don't know for certain that it definitely would be clear - just that when I was involved in Steam Kent wasn't an area we usually were overly worried about.

Black 5s, B1s and West Countries were designed for tighter and lighter lines, so I'd expect them to clear most areas even if a MN, A1, A3 or A4 couldn't. Merchant Navy locos were southern 'native' engines, so I also wouldn't be surprised if they had a marginally easier time of it. The fairing on an A4 can cause problems occasionally so it's possible it would get restrictions.

Would be nice if 60007 could make a trip round Kent next year even for a one off railtour.

Would be good.

As for Scotman, 20 years ago it was attempted to run Scotsman into Kent but was out gauge at the time. When i asked about the Gauging before the scotsman came down no one could provide evidence to say when it was gauged.

Gauging is only valid for 1 year and will usually be done upon receipt of the bid (if not already issued) a few months before the tour. Of course, 20 years ago things could have been run quite differently.

 

[Trainlog]

An interesting development has come through today on Railadvent regarding the fact that Bitterns overhaul will be undertaken by the SNG trust starting next year. The overhaul will be fairly short (a few years) allowing for hopefully a period of time where the 2 A4s will be in steam at the same time.

Steam locomotive 60019 Bittern set for overhaul in North Yorkshire

The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust has announced that it will be working with Locomotive Services Group to overhaul and help return LNER A4 No. 60019 'Bittern' back to service.

www.railadvent.co.uk