Driver Wallace Oakes GC

[D.O.G.F.A.N.]

There was a blowback incident involving 70013 Oliver Cromwell on the 27th May 2012 which is fully reported in a RAIB report. See Bulletin 04/2012.
Stuart.

[hereward]

If you coal a real steam engine in a tunnel you are extremely likely to suffer blowback owing to the exhaust from the chimney having nowhere to go. It is not a pleasant experience to have the contents of a firebox heading in your direction. So before entering a tunnel cease firing and turn on the blower to increase the draw on the fire. From the internet.

[Beeyar Wunby]

Thanks to both of you for the info & ref (see link to The report). I hadn't realised this had happened on one of my routes. I presume that if they'd been routed on the Down Fast line through the twin bore tunnel the effects would have been far less. Luck just wasn't on their side that day.

It's that old classic distraction. It only takes a few seconds doing something else and you fail to complete the primary task.

The RAIB has concluded that both the driver and fireman of the steam locomotive
were aware that their passage through Wood Green tunnel would require
the firebox doors to be closed and the blower valve to be opened. Had they
executed these actions the accident would not have happened. However, they
were distracted by having to deal with the priming at a critical moment as they
approached the tunnel, and were unaware how close to the tunnel they were.

I hope that the footplate crew's injuries weren't too serious and that they make/made a full recovery. It just shows how hazardous life was in the days of steam. We modern drivers have it very easy in comparison.

BW (PS - as usual, my apologies for hijacking the thread. )