darren01 Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Hi I have seen a photo of one at Southall shed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) It's widely known that all ten of the Crostis were allocated en-bloc to Wellingborough, from May 1955 onwards, the last few arriving in July 1955. Here they stayed until their premature withdrawal, then storage and eventual rebuilding, after which they spread their wings. The only stray was when 92023 went for a short holiday to Carlisle Kingmoor for a few weeks, in November 1955, presumably on trial, although it was back home at Wellingborough by Christmas. My question is how were the new Crostis deployed from Wellingborough, working freights south to Cricklewood is pretty obvious, north to Corby steelworks with iron ore is another dead cert, but where else would they run to in the 1950s? I'd imagine a fairly tight rein was kept on these unusual machines, requiring specially trained crews. North to Toton is another possibility, but would they risk them further afield? Were they used on the east-west Northampton to Peterborough line, which crossed and linked with the Midland at Wellingborough? Has anybody got any storage and re-building dates for these locos? Cheers, Brian. Your right with your assumptions on their workings, I have pics of them at the locations you mentioned. Most went into store about April/May 1959. 20 was converted 3-6/61 21 4-6/60 22 4 -6/62 23 6-9/61 24 12/59 -2/60 ( stored from 8/59*) 25 2-4/60 26 6-9/59 27 8-10/60 28 9-12/59 (stored from 8/59*) 29 6-8/60 ( stored from 6/59*) Info brought to you via the Irwell Press publication 'The Book Of The 9F's' (1-903266-73-4), which I can highly recommend, and also includes the full story of the Crosti's. * Info from RCTS 'BR Standard Steam Locomotives Volume 4'. Edited August 31, 2015 by bike2steam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold toboldlygo Posted August 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2015 Info brought to you via the Irwell Press publication 'The Book Of The 9F's' (1-903266-73-4), which I can highly recommend, and also includes the full story of the Crosti's. Currently out of print and some book stores want silly money for used copies. Time to start pestering Irwell to do a reprint. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted August 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 30, 2015 I wondered whether they might have got to Saltley but can only find later post Crosti pictures when some were allocated there. I've had a good search on 't net and can only find Crostis further afield after they were "de-Crostified" Many of the descriptions don't differentiate between before and after states. Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pandora Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 My Crosti sightings were in the gloom of the cathedral atmosphere of Leeds Holbeck 55A Roundhouse, possibly in store, and Summer 1967, I can still picture this from memory, Crostis handling a small number of special freight workings departing Doncaster Belmont Yard heading north Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
73080 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Besides on Cricklewood - Toton axis, I have photos of original Crostis : 92023 at Rugby Test Plant (undated but 'The Book of the 9Fs' states it was allocated to the Test Plant 21 May 1955, before being loaned to Scottish Region (Carlisle Kingmoor) on 26 November and then allocated to Wellingborough 11 December 1955. 92022 at Derby on outside turntable 26.4.1957 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I wondered whether they might have got to Saltley but can only find later post Crosti pictures when some were allocated there. I've had a good search on 't net and can only find Crostis further afield after they were "de-Crostified" Many of the descriptions don't differentiate between before and after states. Keith Rebuilt ones certainly did, my model of 92029 example is based on a Saltley loco quite often seen at Bescot. As Wellingboro' lost it's allocation because of dieselisation Saltley benefitted from having 28, and 29 for a while from April 64. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 My Crosti sightings were in the gloom of the cathedral atmosphere of Leeds Holbeck 55A Roundhouse, possibly in store, and Summer 1967, I can still picture this from memory, Crostis handling a small number of special freight workings departing Doncaster Belmont Yard heading north Rebuilt Crosti's allocated to Birkenhead were a common sight on Stanlow tanker traffic which included trips to Neville Hill right up to their final demise at the end of 1967. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Thanks for the info everyone, particularly Bike2Steam for the conversion list, very useful. I mentioned iron ore trains to Corby Steelworks, well of course i could add that probably means steel trains out as well, to various delivery points. Being allocated to Wellingborough means the iron ore was their prime role, on the main line, smaller locos would have brought the ore off the various branches, but then again maybe the 9Fs could get up some of the better branch track? The Crostis arrival also seems to coincide with the demise of the Beyer-Garratts, hence Crostis on freight to Cricklewood. When the dodgy Crostis were put aside for rebuilding, they were probably replaced by 8Fs, proper 9Fs and then diesels, including the Co-Bos. I suppose the Crostis's sphere of operation was dictated by the extent of Wellingborough men's route knowledge, beyond that wouldn't be worth the trouble, with double-manning, etc. I'm sure i've seen pics of regular 9Fs on the Northampton to Peterborough line, so it's quite possible that early Crostis were used on it, perhaps even to fetch yet more iron ore? Cheers, Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold toboldlygo Posted August 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2015 Just coal and lamps to add, these will be done at a later date. I've given her another running in session on my layout and had her quite happily pulling a short rake (ducks for cover) of Maunsells at fairly low speed, with no stalling on points. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 It's widely known that all ten of the Crostis were allocated en-bloc to Wellingborough, from May 1955 onwards, the last few arriving in July 1955. Here they stayed until their premature withdrawal, then storage and eventual rebuilding, after which they spread their wings. The only stray was when 92023 went for a short holiday to Carlisle Kingmoor for a few weeks, in November 1955, presumably on trial, although it was back home at Wellingborough by Christmas. My question is how were the new Crostis deployed from Wellingborough, working freights south to Cricklewood is pretty obvious, north to Corby steelworks with iron ore is another dead cert, but where else would they run to in the 1950s? I'd imagine a fairly tight rein was kept on these unusual machines, requiring specially trained crews. North to Toton is another possibility, but would they risk them further afield? Were they used on the east-west Northampton to Peterborough line, which crossed and linked with the Midland at Wellingborough? Has anybody got any storage and re-building dates for these locos? Cheers, Brian. I've recently seen a pic of one on Peterborough East shed (can't find it now though!). That to me is an excuse to invoke Rule 1 for East Anglia - likewise for BG's working through to Whittlesey. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Well here it is... A review of another very much anticipated from Hornby and one I really have been looking forward too! The all new Hornby RailRoad R3273 BR 2-10-0 Franco Crosti Boiler 9F, in smart BR Early Black livery. The Franco-Crosti 9F’s were built as an experimental design, by British Railways in 1955, to see if the Crosti Design would improve the efficiency and energy consumption of a steam locomotive. A total of 10 locomotives where constructed at Crewe Works, that year.Sadly the locomotives did not yield the hoped benefits for the class, with the efficiency of the locomotives not being increased sufficiently enough, to justify the increased costs and complexity of the design. With all 10 locos later being converted back in to operating conventionally, before all being scraped. Hornby really have done an outstanding job in recreating the prototype in model form! Although the model is branded as RailRoad it featuring a wealth of detail, including glazing, sprung buffers, plus more, and smooth and powerful running capabilities straight from the box. This model really is a must for any BR Steam Era Modeller or anyone interested in usual locomotive designs! Another 10/10 for Hornby! Hope you enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjO4NHFm5eE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black 5 Bear Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Well here it is... A review of another very much anticipated from Hornby and one I really have been looking forward too! The all new Hornby RailRoad R3273 BR 2-10-0 Franco Crosti Boiler 9F, in smart BR Early Black livery. The Franco-Crosti 9F’s were built as an experimental design, by British Railways in 1955, to see if the Crosti Design would improve the efficiency and energy consumption of a steam locomotive. A total of 10 locomotives where constructed at Crewe Works, that year. Sadly the locomotives did not yield the hoped benefits for the class, with the efficiency of the locomotives not being increased sufficiently enough, to justify the increased costs and complexity of the design. With all 10 locos later being converted back in to operating conventionally, before all being scraped. Hornby really have done an outstanding job in recreating the prototype in model form! Although the model is branded as RailRoad it featuring a wealth of detail, including glazing, sprung buffers, plus more, and smooth and powerful running capabilities straight from the box. This model really is a must for any BR Steam Era Modeller or anyone interested in usual locomotive designs! Another 10/10 for Hornby! Hope you enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjO4NHFm5eE Thanks Callum, you didn't disappoint, another superb review on a quality product.Well done..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Has anyone noticed that the RHS crest on the late version faces forwards? The short-lived variation of this crest. Sad news today, I shall have to contact Hornby as mine now has a serious failure. The 1st spur gear (driven by the worm) is actually a double gear. The output gear, (smaller than the input) has started to strip its teeth and jams. I can't really return the model as I've done some work on it. but if I can get a gearwheel I can easily replace it. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pandora Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I have studied the review, The Crosti may be in a Railroad box, but the model is not trimmed to Railroad specification. Why has Hornby done this? It must be psychology, if your expectations are "£5" and the contents are "£10", you are not going to complain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ian Hargrave Posted August 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2015 I have studied the review, The Crosti may be in a Railroad box, but the model is not trimmed to Railroad specification. Why has Hornby done this? It must be psychology, if your expectations are "£5" and the contents are "£10", you are not going to complain. Was there ever then such a thing as Railroad specification.If so,then 'twas a moveable feast ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted August 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2015 ... Also has anyone got one running with a decoder?Yes. The socket is in the loco rather than the tender. I used a Lenz Standard +. It seems smooth enough running backwards and forwards on a straight test track that I use. I'll see how it performs on my layout tomorrow. Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Moss Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Certainly are nice models and the new wheels really set them off. So nice I bought two! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) If Hornby is following this thread, I hope they act on what has been said seeing as most of the posts are about converted Crosti's. Not too surprising seeing they were around a lot longer and got a lot more publicity. I would imagine the 'ex-Crosti' would outsell this one, as it would draw in the 1960's modelling camp (currently excluded). Edited August 30, 2015 by coachmann Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 If Hornby is following this thread, I hope they act on what has been said seeing as most of the posts are about converted Crosti's. Not too surprising seeing they were around a lot longer and got a lot more publicity. I would imagine the 'ex-Crosti' would outsell this one, as it would draw in the 1960's modelling camp (currently excluded). I very much hope that your right about this totally agree. If anyone from Hornby is following this thread I'm sure there will be a buz in their office on Tuesday morning like I said in an earlier posting this is the best review of a new model Hornby have had in years ...and it's being do by the customer ..... and remember it's only in the Railroad range 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Has anyone noticed that the RHS crest on the late version faces forwards? The short-lived variation of this crest. Sad news today, I shall have to contact Hornby as mine now has a serious failure. The 1st spur gear (driven by the worm) is actually a double gear. The output gear, (smaller than the input) has started to strip its teeth and jams. I can't really return the model as I've done some work on it. but if I can get a gearwheel I can easily replace it. Stewart Be very interested in how you get on in obtaining the replacement gear ....... Strangely enough I had a similar problem in my Bachmann 9F....must be just toooooo much raw power Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Market65 Posted August 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2015 I very much hope that your right about this totally agree. If anyone from Hornby is following this thread I'm sure there will be a buz in their office on Tuesday morning like I said in an earlier posting this is the best review of a new model Hornby have had in years ...and it's being do by the customer ..... and remember it's only in the Railroad range Please don't forget the lovely little J15 0-6-0. It also had very good reviews as well. With best regards, Market65. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete55 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) Be very interested in how you get on in obtaining the replacement gear ....... Strangely enough I had a similar problem in my Bachmann 9F....must be just toooooo much raw power May be the same as the normal 9F....worth checking the service sheets on the Hornby site. Lendons of Cardiff site also has the service sheets as well as the spares they have in stock listed. Edited August 30, 2015 by pete55 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Thanks Callum, you didn't disappoint, another superb review on a quality product.Well done..... Thanks ever so much again Black 5. Really means a lot . I'm glad my reviews are of help, and it's a joy to do them. Wonder if anyone from Hornby has seen any of them? Now that would be something! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted August 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 31, 2015 May be the same as the normal 9F....worth checking the service sheets on the Hornby site. Lendons of Cardiff site also has the service sheets as well as the spares they have in stock listed. Peter's Spares have these for the "normal" Railroad 9F: http://www.petersspares.com/Hornby-x9909-gear-set-for-railroad-9f-evening-star.ir Are they the same? Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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