Tidal Update

An ailing remote control 08802, remote control 08752 awaiting road movement to Toytown and 09017 clogged up with wire around its wheelset and axle box. It doesn't get any better.

C'mon 08921 Pongo.

It's nearly an all singing and all dancing troupe of performing gronks at Tidal this morning.

08921 Pongo, our celebrity gronk has been fired up earlier this morning, albeit with a nearly flat battery and is complete with all its remote control equipment, contrary to what has been written in other forums. It's just waiting for a tank of fuel before it replaces 09017 Leo, which will once again become the standby gronk.

09017 Leo, is currently one of the two Tidal pilots but will become standby loco once 08921 Pongo is ready for action.

08802 is now fighting fitting after having a faulty governor actuator replaced.

08752 Lenny is still awaiting transfer to Toton Depot with mechanical, electrical, C xam and air receiver inspection work. I was very surprised that it wasn't back loaded on Pongo's transport.


Incidentally...

08921 Pongo was named after Axxy Lxxxh a retired 'smelly' Canton Depot fitter, whom has now sadly passed away.
09017 Leo was named after Leo Phillips a retired Canton Depot fitter.

I hear a run away remote control was on the run in Tidal a couple of weekes ago?

Who was that?

hulk wrote:I hear a run away remote control was on the run in Tidal a couple of weekes ago?

Who was that?

Norman Knowitall will have to pass on this one. There's so much excitement at Tidal that you tend to forget incidents of more than a week ago. Well 08802 wouldn't move in one direction in remote control and went for say a couple of hundred yards in the other direction before the brakes came on. Whereas 08752 Lenny was stopped on the grounds of its brakes, plus electrical problems with the remote control. I'll have to find out more about this.

Another action packed day in sunny conditions at Tidal Sidings.

An early morning six o'clock call revealed that Pongo was out of action awaiting a chip for the remote control, so 08802 was covering both the Celsa and Tidal workings.

08752 Lenny is still awaiting transfer to Toton Depot and 09017 was standby loco for 08802.

08921 Pongo was ticking over and then drafted into action with its first revenue earning service shunting a short rake of loaded SPA's around Tidal for onward movement to Rotherham via Llanwern. Monster clag as she was opened up with the driver vigorously shaking his head and laughing as I pointed out the clag to him.

I am very disappointed with Springs Branch Depots presentation of the E xam as the loco arrived with an empty tank of fuel, a flat battery which meant that it couldn't be driven off the low loader, some contactors were burnt out which prevented it being fired up and one of the two spot lamps was missing leaving taped up wires protruding from the bracket at the front of the radiator. It is believed that the remote control chip is languishing in someone's hand bag.

hulk wrote:I hear a run away remote control was on the run in Tidal a couple of weekes ago?

Who was that?

I asked around but no one knew of any problems of late.

If Canton were kept open there would be not of the substandard rubbish in service we have today, gronks or sheds that come out of the blackhole.
"Flatliner " locos are even worse.Thank god for the super reliable class 70's

billy basher wrote:If Canton were kept open there would be not of the substandard rubbish in service we have today, gronks or sheds that come out of the blackhole.
"Flatliner " locos are even worse.Thank god for the super reliable class 70's

It was a real shame to see Canton and Margam close, both depots having some of the finest fitters on EWS. However, I was privaledged to know most of them by christian name and carried out many photographic shoots for their families free of charge.

I have been told that the remote gronks are now maintained at a fully airconditioned facility at Tidal, well stocked with equipment and lifting gear to carry out engine changes.
That should make a big difference in making them reliable.So good news there.
Well done DBS

billy basher wrote:I have been told that the remote gronks are now maintained at a fully airconditioned facility at Tidal, well stocked with equipment and lifting gear to carry out engine changes.
That should make a big difference in making them reliable.So good news there.
Well done DBS

If a power unit change was required to be carried out in Tidal Sidings, I'm convinced the fitters wouldn't object, so long as they had the Margam crane, one driver, four fitters and a co-ordinator.

I'll never forget the day Margam fitters were putting together a generator onto a power unit outside in the rain with an umbrella.

Where is the new air conditioned facility at Tidal located ?

billy basher wrote:Where is the new air conditioned facility at Tidal located ?

Drivers mess room.

Used Google map,could not see a shed,just two pikeys in a wagon and some tumbleweed blowing around the yard.

billy basher wrote:Used Google map,could not see a shed,just two pikeys in a wagon and some tumbleweed blowing around the yard.

You sxx, hook, line and sinker.

08802 - Still having remote problems similar to last week.

08921 Pongo - Failed today with brake problems and dragged back to Tidal by 08802. Man with a really large hammer on this forum beat it back life ready fo tomorrows pictures.

08752 Lenny - Loaded for Toytown.

09017 Leo - Unsung hero in the background.

Things have settled down with Pongo and 08802 as Billy Basher suggested, with no further problems.

However, 09017 Leo has been taken to Toton for its overdue E xam and brakes.

This leaves Tidal quite vulnerable, especially as 08802 has been pencilled in to Canton Depot next week for a brake block change. I would imagine that we will see a remote replacement for Leo.

I am pretty sure that everything will be ok for now.A backup loco would be nice.
The magic wand has been polished,fingers are crossed.
With "expert" DBS staff on hand,no problem
Nice to see a website with accurate information

billy basher wrote:With "expert" DBS staff on hand,no problem

Off to bed now,busy day ahead me thinks

Still all singing all dancing with Pongo and 802. The new manager must be getting to grip with things.

I think the engineers are getting a grip with things as they did in ASW days when they looked after six remotes.But, they did have a superb maintenance facility just up the line at Canton.Where's me shed
Fingers crossed

billy basher wrote:I think the engineers are getting a grip with things as they did in ASW days when they looked after six remotes.But, they did have a superb maintenance facility just up the line at Canton.Where's me shed
Fingers crossed

You got a shed for your stores and its full to the brim with.......

...and the overspill is sunning its self on the west wall.

Have a nice weekend. I'm managing some veg tomorrow morning on behalf of myself at Splott Junction.

08921 Pongo - Being serviced, overdue A xam?.....axle boxes and rods were being oiled.
08802 Celsa and Tidal Pilot.

Electric Melt broke down again today, so no hot billet for Castle Works.

08802 will be getting a new set of brake blocks maybe Wednesday at what used to be the best depot in the country.Canton.
The big question is, will it be let loose on the mainline as its not TPWS fitted and its TPWS fitted ex stable mate,09017 is no longer in South Wales.!!!!

billy basher wrote:08802 will be getting a new set of brake blocks maybe Wednesday at what used to be the best depot in the country.Canton.
The big question is, will it be let loose on the mainline as its not TPWS fitted and its TPWS fitted ex stable mate,09017 is no longer in South Wales.!!!!

Billy, Couldn't 08428 move 08802 to Canton Depot and then the cylinder head gasket could be repaired at the same time on 08428.