Puffing Billy Railway, Victoria, Australia
NA Class 2-6-2t 6A
The
first experience I had of a loco modified under the direction of Nigel Day was
on the Puffing Billy
Railway in Victoria, Australia. The article linked to below gives the background
to the modifications and a brief review of the success achieved.
Having personally ridden behind the modified loco 6A and 'original' NA types the differences are obvious. For a start the loco sounds totally different. The exhaust has a totally different note and is somewhat quieter, as you might expect from a loco with a better steam circuit and exhaust system. 6A also seemed to have more power when it could keep its' feet on the slippery rails. The slipping was also, at the crews admission, partly as a result of the driver being on 6A in modified form for the first time and thus was unfamiliar with the different driving technique required to get the best out of the loco. However the crew were generally very happy with the loco. The fireman especially so as it has turned a good steaming loco in to an excellent one. The only downside seemed to be the very strong draught would rip the fire off the grate if the firehole door was shut - it has to be left open at all times, even if only on the first notch. This did lead to an interesting sound not unlike that made by an oil burner - something of a roar. Under certain circumstances, especially slipping, it produced a pulsing sound as if excess oil suddenly ignites.
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A
standard Victorian Railways NA Newport (Victoria) built 2-6-2t No.14A
at Belgrave. July 2001 |
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As
a comparison to the above can you spot the differences ? To the non NA
expert there are none related to the modifications visible. Here 6A waits
at Menzies Creek before proceeding to Gembrook. May 2002 |
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6A
at the terminus of the line, Gembrook, more or less ready to head back
to Belgrave. May 2002 |
I was very fortunate on the return to get a brief footplate ride on the loco. It steamed perfectly and had bags and bags of power available.
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Puffing
Billy No.6A ,with your webmaster on the footplate with driver Lyn Helsby,
during the stop at Cockatoo on the return from Gembrook. This locomotive
has a number of modifications designed by Nigel Day including a revised
exhaust arrangement that maintains the historical appearance of the locomotive.
May 2002 © Greg Dixon |
An excellent report appeared in the Puffing Billy in-house journal 'Narrow Gauge' regarding the modifications to 6A. To read it click here. Many thanks to Shaun McMahon for putting me on to the report in the first place.
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Back
at Menzies Creek there was some shunting to be done before heading on
the to terminus at Belgrave. May 2002 |
It is to be hoped more PBR locos with be modified in time.
6A in 2005
In 2005 6A is still proving to be a popular and successful loco. It also looks absolutely first class!
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6A at Lakeside in October 2005. © Malcolm Cluett |