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These notes are largely culled from the KLR website at http://www.kirkleeslightrailway.com

0-6-4st Badger

Badger was the KLR's second steam loco being completed by Brian Taylor in 1991. The locomotive was finished in the KLR workshop at Clayton West having been half built elsewhere.

Technical Specification:

In early 2005 Badger was in the works at Clayton West for a retube and some heavy boiler barrel repairs. The boiler had come to the end of its ten yearly certificate. At the same time the opportunity was taken to make further improvements to the locomotive.

Valvegear and Reverser Changes :

As built Badger had Hackworth valvegear. This gear is far from ideal. One of its major faults being the timing is effected by vertical motion. So using materials in stock the Hackworth gear has been removed and replaced with Marshall valvegear. Whilst still not ideal the change has been noticeable in improving the valve timing whilst a worthwhile reduction in coal and water consumption has been noted.

Ian Screeton has made these comments to further explain the work undertaken:

"The change to Marshall valve gear also involved a complete revision of the basic valve gear geometry which had more effect on the events than just the change of type, Marshall was chosen to utilise as many of the original components as possible but eliminate the sliding die-block, a source of considerable wear, noise and maintenance. A pendulum support is also included for the valve spindle to eliminate the previously excessive spindle and gland wear of the original unsupported arrangement."

The reverser has been moved from the right hand side of the cab to the left hand side bringing all the controls on to one side.

Left hand side view of the Marshall valvegear. Note the proportional drive to the mechanical lubricator. June 11 2005

And a view of the right hand side of the valvegear. June 10 2005

A view from behind of the Marshall valvegear. June 11 2005

A close up showing how the cut off is altered. June 11 2005

Improved Insulation:

With the boiler out of the frames for surgery the opportunity was taken to increase the thickness of the boiler insulation. To achieve this some minor alterations have had to be made to the loco's appearance. The saddle tank has its underside profile considerably reshaped. One benefit of this work is the water in the tank is less likely to get warm enough to cause injector pick up problems. The boiler cladding has had to be moved outwards a little and the clack valves have had to be replumbed with longer pipework.

The saddle tank has been modified to suit the increased thickness of insulation. The black line indicates were the inner radius of the tank has been altered. June 11 2005

On each side the the clack valve pipework has had to be extended. Also note the cladding has had to be altered to accommodate the changes. June 11 2005

The increased thickness of the insulation has seen the cladding modified to fit. This includes over sections of the firebox. June 11 2005

Badger in April 2004:

0-6-4st Badger inside the shed at Clayton West. April 11 2004

A rear three-quarters view of Badger inside the shed at Clayton West. April 11 2004

The locomotive retains slide valves for the time being. The coupling rod bearings remain as plain bearings for the time being.

On Badger the dome is in the cab, along with the safety valves. April 11 2004

With the exception of Owl all the KLR locos have one of these duplex type air brake pumps, a speciality of the KLR. April 11 2004

Another good feature on some of the KLR fleet is the proportional drive to the mechanical lubricator. With this oil feed rate is matched to demand. Traditionally driven mechanical lubricators deliver the same quantity of oil regardless of the actual requirements. April 11 2004

The wheel at 90 degrees to the driving wheel is the drive to the speedometer. Note the splashers over the driving wheels which help to keep oil and muck from falling on to the tread to ruin adhesion. April 11 2004

A general view of the Hackworth Valvegear as fitted to Badger. April 11 2004

A close up of the Hackworth Valvegear die block on Badger. April 12 2004

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