RMweb Gold Dan Randall Posted May 9, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 9, 2018 Does anyone have a decent picture showing the top of a "Castle" fire iron tunnel please? I'm trying to establish how much of a gap there is (if any), between the tunnel's top surface and firebox cladding. Regards Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 (edited) There is a fairly substantial gap between the tunnel and the firebox, certainly wider than the tunnel itself. https://locoyard.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/079-2014-autumn-steam-gala-watercress-line-ropley-ex-gwr-castle-class-5029-nunney-castle.jpg https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gIgooFeF2Mo/maxresdefault.jpg With 8 of the class in preservation, maybe taking a tape measure to one is the best solution if you need an exact measurement. There are a couple at Didcot and the GWS are normally happy for people to examine their stock provided it is not in steam at the time. Edited May 10, 2018 by Karhedron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dan Randall Posted May 10, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 10, 2018 There is a fairly substantial gap between the tunnel and the firebox, certainly wider than the tunnel itself.https://locoyard.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/079-2014-autumn-steam-gala-watercress-line-ropley-ex-gwr-castle-class-5029-nunney-castle.jpghttps://i.ytimg.com/vi/gIgooFeF2Mo/maxresdefault.jpgWith 8 of the class in preservation, maybe taking a tape measure to one is the best solution if you need an exact measurement. There are a couple at Didcot and the GWS are normally happy for people to examine their stock provided it is not in steam at the time. Nice pictures Karhedron, but it's not gap between the angled section and firebox I'm interested in, but the top of the section between the splashers. I've got a view taken from above footplate level somewhere, but can't find it at present! Regards Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Hi All, I’m on the case - pictures to follow after the next No. 4079 working party day unless anyone else can get there sooner of course! All the best, Castle 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conflat Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 (edited) Hi Dan I was at Didcot working yesterday and took this picture. I think it shows what you want i.e. that there is no gap between the tunnel and the cladding. Regards Edited May 15, 2018 by Conflat 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 (edited) Hi All, Who’s been on our Castle? I recognise that rusty handrail! Nice job Conflat. Just to finish off the good work, here is the view from No. 4079 again... ...and here is the view from No. 5051. The gap pretty much isn’t one (!) and it is a real pain in various anatomical areas to fit cladding after the boiler has been placed in the frames in the way we have to do it at DRC with the 50 ton lifting shop crane. Remember - we don’t have road access, so it’s the single point lift or nothing. Guess where the balance point of a boiler is? Just in front of the firebox which is where the tunnel is... Grrrrr! You can fit cladding pretty much everywhere else except that bit and when you are juggling the ceramic wool lagging too it adds an extra fun factor! At least we are only paying for the maintenance and insurance on the crane though! The tool tunnel on No. 5051 has been there since her construction but No. 4079’s was fitted in the 1930s. Other nerdy details to look at in this respect is that No. 4079 no longer has the vertical brass heading to the front face of the cab. These were lost when the tool tunnel was fitted. I hope this helps! All the best, Castle Edited May 21, 2018 by Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dan Randall Posted May 21, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2018 (edited) Many thanks to both Conflat and Castle - the pictures are a great help. I certainly didn't know there was a piece of angle between the tunnel and firebox cladding, so I'll have a stab at representing that too. Regards Dan Edited May 21, 2018 by Dan Randall Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold rodent279 Posted May 5, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 5, 2023 On 15/05/2018 at 21:54, Conflat said: Hi Dan I was at Didcot working yesterday and took this picture. I think it shows what you want i.e. that there is no gap between the tunnel and the cladding. Regards On 21/05/2018 at 15:50, Castle said: Hi All, Who’s been on our Castle? I recognise that rusty handrail! Nice job Conflat. Just to finish off the good work, here is the view from No. 4079 again... ...and here is the view from No. 5051. The gap pretty much isn’t one (!) and it is a real pain in various anatomical areas to fit cladding after the boiler has been placed in the frames in the way we have to do it at DRC with the 50 ton lifting shop crane. Remember - we don’t have road access, so it’s the single point lift or nothing. Guess where the balance point of a boiler is? Just in front of the firebox which is where the tunnel is... Grrrrr! You can fit cladding pretty much everywhere else except that bit and when you are juggling the ceramic wool lagging too it adds an extra fun factor! At least we are only paying for the maintenance and insurance on the crane though! The tool tunnel on No. 5051 has been there since her construction but No. 4079’s was fitted in the 1930s. Other nerdy details to look at in this respect is that No. 4079 no longer has the vertical brass heading to the front face of the cab. These were lost when the tool tunnel was fitted. I hope this helps! All the best, Castle Is there any chance that these photos could be reloaded please? I have a fireiron tunnel to construct for my conversion of an Airfix 4073 into 7013 Bristol Castle. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 (edited) I have a feeling there is a link to photos on the GWR.ORG.UK site. Can't seem to find them. I thought there was a link to a few photos of the Castle like there is of the Prairies and others. https://www.flickr.com/photos/brianews/albums/72157669538653672 Jason Edited May 5, 2023 by Steamport Southport Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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