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Electrical work for No. 2007 Prince of Wales is proceeding well and the system architecture for power generation is now complete, including an automatic method for directing outputs from the two turbogens to the most appropriate loads, irrespective of whether one, the other or both are operating. Much of this work will benefit No. 60163 Tornado since much of it is an upgrade or new requirement.  The Trust has been attending Network Rail meetings in connection with the East Coast Digital Programme. This is looking to install ‘signals away’ ETCS on the ECML, beginning with the southern sections and requires a solution to be found for a small number of steam locomotives that have a strong case for operating on this stretch of railway. This will effectively be a pilot for a more extensive fleet installation in the future, as required by operating routes. Darlington Works South (Rob Morland's home!) has been busy since January with the start of construction of the new uprated Shore Power Supply for the P2. This will include a third output for the ETCS system and has a significantly increased capacity of up to 73A. It will also operate off a wide variety of mains voltages, from 85-305V AC, outputting a constant 28V DC. This should significantly improve our ability to extract useful power from some of the more wayward supplies we see on depots around the country, whilst also reducing the risk of damage to our systems. Once complete, the new supply will be tested first on the A1. New P2 Shore Power Supply under construction - The higher output from this supply will exceed the capacity of our present small load bank, which was designed to cope with the output of a turbogen, around 28A. Given the imminent need to test the new Axle Driven Alternator, which could deliver up to 200A, it was decided to build a new Load Bank with up to 200A capacity to meet both needs. This is also under construction. It uses eight 1KW power resistors arranged on a custom frame with switching and meters to monitor the load. Given that it may be called upon to dissipate up to 5.6KW it is fitted with a set of fans, one for each power resistor.

The new Shore Power Supply under construction – Rob Morland

200A Load Bank under construction - With the overall system architecture now defined, the next step in the electrical design work will be the detailed design of subsystems, beginning with the I/O Panels. These take in power from all available sources and distribute it to loads around the engine. On the physical side, Alan Parkin will soon be commencing work on the conduit layout for the tender.  We now have all the parts for the axle driven alternator so once resource is available, the prototype will be assembled and tested using the new load bank featured above to test this and the new shore power units for No. 2007 and Tornado.

The load bank being assembled - Rob Morland