46026

[RichmondCommu]

G'day everyone,

From memory this was the last class 46 in service and I'm curious to know why it was still running when all the other class 46's had been withdrawn. I'm guessing that it finished its days allocated to Gateshead?

Any information would be gratefully received!

Kind regards,

Richmond Commuter!

 

[Ash Bridge]

According to the book in front of me there were five 46s in traffic until 11/1984, and all allocated to Gateshead, they were 46011, 026, 027, 035 & 045, it doesn't provide the exact dates during November that each was switched off though unfortunately,

46026 didn't survive long after withdrawal as it was broken up at Doncaster during March 1985.

Just to add, 46045 was the lucky one as after withdrawal it went into departmental service.

 

[RichmondCommu]

According to the book in front of me there were five 46s in traffic until 11/1984, and all allocated to Gateshead, they were 46011, 026, 027, 035 & 045, it doesn't provide the exact dates during November that each was switched off though unfortunately,

46026 didn't survive long after withdrawal as it was broken up at Doncaster during March 1985.

Just to add, 46045 was the lucky one as after withdrawal it went into departmental service.

Ah many thanks for this! Although I no longer have the book (it was thrown out years a go) I'd got it in my mind that my last ever spotters book showed only 46026 still in service. In many respects I'm surprised that 46026 didn't survive given that it was the only 'namer'.

 

[Cowley]

I'm pretty sure I remember seeing a 46 (it may have been 46023) in the scrap line at Toton in the 80s and I've got a feeling it was the back up spare one for the nuclear flask crash test that they did in 1984. I've just been searching though and I can't find a list of locos that we're in the scrap line in 1986/87 anywhere. 25080, 45002, 45004 and 45005 were there too plus a load of others.
Of the ones that remain I know the RTC had 46035 and 46045 and somehow 46010 survived into preservation as well.

 

[chris7153]

This may help.

http://www.derbysulzers.com/class46end.html

 

[Cowley]

This may help.

http://www.derbysulzers.com/class46end.html

There was a lot of information on there! Thanks for that.
But yes it was 46023.
Here's a photo (not mine) of it along with 25080 and 45010 in the scrap line at Toton around 1986. I think the white marks on the bogies are for the flask crash test as it was the back up locomotive and I assume it had an external brake control fitted like 46009.

 

[pdeaves]

I think the white marks on the bogies are for the flask crash test as it was the back up locomotive and I assume it had an external brake control fitted like 46009.

I think the white marks are just to make it look pretty. Lots of depots around that time picked out details with 'whitewash'.

 

[Cowley]

I think the white marks are just to make it look pretty. Lots of depots around that time picked out details with 'whitewash'.

I beg to disagree . Now I've done a bit more digging, here is a photo (not mine) of 46023 in Toton depot in August 1984 being prepared for it's possible role as a nuclear flask battering ram, as you can see it has all the markings associated with a crash test.
It was actually allocated the departmental number of 97402 and 46009 was 97401 although they never actually carried those numbers. 46009 also had these markings which you can clearly see in the video of the actual test.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I beg to disagree . Now I've done a bit more digging, here is a photo (not mine) of 46023 in Toton depot in August 1984 being prepared for it's possible role as a nuclear flask battering ram, as you can see it has all the markings associated with a crash test.
It was actually allocated the departmental number of 97402 and 46009 was 97401 although they never actually carried those numbers. 46009 also had these markings which you can clearly see in the video of the actual test.

It's interesting how only what is presumably the lead bogie in the crash test is marked up on all the axlebox covers, whereas on the rear one it's only the end cover, makes you wonder if BR was also using the test to assess some other aspects of vehicle component/structural behaviour in a major collision? From what I recall the front bogie completely disintegrated upon impact, not sure about the rear one.

 

[Cowley]

It's interesting how only what is presumably the lead bogie in the crash test is marked up on all the axlebox covers, whereas on the rear one it's only the end cover, makes you wonder if BR was also using the test to assess some other aspects of vehicle component/structural behaviour in a major collision? From what I recall the front bogie completely disintegrated upon impact, not sure about the rear one.

I was thinking that too, I've no idea of the answer though.
I reckon working in the RTC in the 70s and 80s must have been a very interesting job.
There were quite a few conspiracy theories around the actual test, the most outlandish being that BR deliberately loosened the power unit fixings so that during the crash the power unit would fly from its mountings thus not putting the full force of the loco and power unit into the flask.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I was thinking that too, I've no idea of the answer though.
I reckon working in the RTC in the 70s and 80s must have been a very interesting job.
There were quite a few conspiracy theories around the actual test, the most outlandish being that BR deliberately loosened the power unit fixings so that during the crash the power unit would fly from its mountings thus not putting the full force of the loco and power unit into the flask.

I think that claim about the power unit (was it from Greenpeace?) was proved to be incorrect when photographs taken from inside the engine room after the crash proved that the power unit was still in place.

 

[Cowley]

Ah yes. Something does appear to fly out of the locomotive, not sure what though. It's an impressive bit of destruction, what I like is the fact that almost straight afterwards the invited people are just allowed to wander around the wreckage at will. Can't imagine something like that happening these days.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Ah yes. Something does appear to fly out of the locomotive, not sure what though. It's an impressive bit of destruction, what I like is the fact that almost straight afterwards the invited people are just allowed to wander around the wreckage at will. Can't imagine something like that happening these days.

It would be unthinkable wouldn't it! Just had a thought about what you said on your previous posting, I'm sure I recall RichmondCommu mentioned in past postings that his father worked in the RTC at Derby, if he looks in again perhaps he could shed some light on the above?

 

[RichmondCommu]

It would be unthinkable wouldn't it! Just had a thought about what you said on your previous posting, I'm sure I recall RichmondCommu mentioned in past postings that his father worked in the RTC at Derby, if he looks in again perhaps he could shed some light on the above?

Yes my Dad did indeed work at the RTC but didn't have any involvement with the nuclear flask run as by that stage he'd moved on to other roles within BR. In all honesty the only real work involved with the whole project was to ensure that the loco got up to the required speed, at least that's what I've learned from my Dad.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Yes my Dad did indeed work at the RTC but didn't have any involvement with the nuclear flask run as by that stage he'd moved on to other roles within BR. In all honesty the only real work involved with the whole project was to ensure that the loco got up to the required speed, at least that's what I've learned from my Dad.

Many thanks for getting back and informing us, I did at least remember correctly about your dad then!

 

[RichmondCommu]

Many thanks for getting back and informing us, I did at least remember correctly about your dad then!

Your welcome! I'm seeing him tomorrow so I'll ask about it then but I can't recall him saying anything else about it.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Your welcome! I'm seeing him tomorrow so I'll ask about it then but I can't recall him saying anything else about it.

That would be great, thanks!

 

[Cowley]

Sorry chaps I got sidetracked by an Indian restaurant last night (Stoptober is over). Mr Bridge, I spoke to Mr Commu yesterday just as you posted that.
Enjoying this thread.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Sorry chaps I got sidetracked by an Indian restaurant last night (Stoptober is over).

Damn! So I can't wind you up anymore

The Cowley Bridge Inn (Sorry New Inn now is it?) should see a sudden upturn in business then?

 

[Cowley]

Damn! So I can't wind you up anymore

The Cowley Bridge Inn (Sorry New Inn now is it?) should see a sudden upturn in business then?

Ah, but I'm a changed man now. I've realised the error of my ways and have decided not to drink unless it's a very special occasion.
Mrs Cowley told me this morning that it's her second cousin twice removed's 12th wedding anniversary today (can't remember what she said they were called now). So I got a bottle of wine in just in case.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Ah, but I'm a changed man now. I've realised the error of my ways and have decided not to drink unless it's a very special occasion.
Mrs Cowley told me this morning that it's her second cousin twice removed's 12th wedding anniversary today (can't remember what she said they were called now). So I got a bottle of wine in just in case.

I like your style!