Headlamp code

[Scrat]

Hi folks,

I am looking for info on the headlamp codes. According to lner.info, some Clauds were used for the Royal Train:

From 1924, Clauds were occasionally seen on GNR routes into King's Cross for special passenger services. Typically these would be Royal Trains to Cambridge or King's Lynn. King's Cross to Cambridge workings were greatly extended in 1932 with five Claud-hauled expresses per weekday.

I found one source stating that for this train all 4 brackets carry lamps, but:

http://www.elginmodelrailwayclub.co.uk/ ... codes.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/basic16.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gansg/3-sigs/bellhead.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

do not show this configuration.

What do you think?

Best regards

Holger

[Eddyg]

Hi Holger,

The Royal train was a very special working and yes it carried four headlamps and two tail lamps(it wouldn't do for the King or Queen to be delayed if the tail lamp were to go out!). Traditionally the locomotive would be turned out in immaculate condition (perhaps completely repainted) and on the GER and later the LNER and BR Eastern and North Eastern regions the cab roof would be painted white for the job. Nine Elms was said to keep a special buffer beam for the pacific locomotives with burnished buffers and couplings that could be fitted to the Royal Train locomotive. Up to the grouping all sorts of embellishments would decorate the locomotives primarily the Royal Cyfer and flags.

Once steam had gone and lamp codes had been replaced with alfa numeric head code displays, the Royal train was given the code 1X01, 2 or 3 depending on the status of the Royal person traveling.

At one time an equally immaculate pilot engine would precede the Royal Train as well to ensure the line was clear and there would be specially prepared locomotives stationed at intervals in case of a failure of the Royal Train engine. The operation of these trains was accompanied by a whole host of regulations and rituals, for example two signal sections were kept clear both ahead and behind the train, and managers and inspectors would be tasked with seeing that signalling was correctly operated and stations were kept clear of spectators. Point blades were often clamped and little rules were applied such as station barrows were not allowed to cross the lines within ten minutes of the train's passing.

Clearly a very expensive operation to run a Royal Train.

Eddie

[Scrat]

Hi Eddie,

thanks for the information. I just ordered a set of headlamps from Mr. Tipton.
This leads us to the next question. Which embellishments are correct and where do I fit them?
As all four lamp brackets will be occupied there is not much room left.

Best regards

Holger

[alan w]

As regards of special arrangements pertaining to Royal Train journeys in 1958 I was a locomotive cleaner at Willesden Motive Power Depot before I became a fireman. As cleaners we had the task of cleaning 45025 (a black 5) in preperation for the passing of the Royal Train as standby in case of failure of the train Locomotive which would have been a Stanier Duchess. With the Charghand Cleaner on our backs that engine was the cleanest I had ever seen.

[Scrat]

The lamps arrived yesterday. They are fantastic. I will try and fit a yellow LED inside. The bottom three will receive a plug at the bottom and will be powered by a battery hidden under the frames. For the top lamp there are 2 Problems:

#1 Some pictures show the top lamp iron above the polished ring on the smokebox door, others show it fixed directly to the smokebox right above the door. Which one would be correct for my loco?

#2 For that lamp I need to run the wiring through the smokebox. Does anyone know a supplier for heat-resistant wire (like teflon coated wires)?

As Clauds were seen hauling the Royal Train to Kings Lynn from 1824 and headlamps were red before 1928 on express engines, after that they were always white, which colour would you suggest for my Headlamps?
BTW, which is the correct shade of red? The vermilion as used on the buffer beams or any other red?

Best regards

Holger

[Richard Phillips]

#1 Some pictures show the top lamp iron above the polished ring on the smokebox door, others show it fixed directly to the smokebox right above the door. Which one would be correct for my loco?

When electrification using overhead wires was commenced, a lot of locos were modified to move the top lamp further down, a lot of Standard Class locomotives were modfied in this way. I don't know about your loco however. I'm guessing this is around the mid 1950s.

[richardw]

I think it would be correct to put the top lamp iron on the smokebox door, all the photo's of Super Clauds I have looked at this afternoon have it there from the first one converted in 1922 onwards. It is not mounted on the ring though, it is mounted inside the ring with the top of the iron roughly level with the top edge of the polished ring.

[mikeg]

Before you commit to hard wiring the Tipton lamps you have bought be aware that it is possible to make them battery driven by fitting two hearing aid type batteries. I have done it to one of Tiptons GW lamps so assuming we are talking the same lamps you can have them both capable of illumination and also removable.

[Eddyg]

Holgar,

Yellow LEDs look awful, tried that. Try to get some 3mm warm white, they look much more realistic.
Follow this link to see my lamps. The batteries are AG1 and last for hours.

http://gl5.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6& ... rt=15#p794

Eddie

[Scrat]

Hi Eddie,

thanks for the warning. I will also use warm white LEDs now.
For the connections I am going to use 2-pin connectors like this one:

http://www.adaptare.de/images/49530.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(can be cut to any length)
The pins will project aout 5 mm from the lamp base. The sockets will be placed in the buffer beam. The smokebox lamp will have its pins to the rear. In order to keep the dust out when running without lamps or when using discs there are "blind" plugs to cover the sockets.
I prefer to have one big battery to power Headlamps, cab lamps, water level lamp and all the other stuff.

Best regards

Holger