Ecological Disaster on the CFHC

Taking a short break from the building restoration works, I decided to run my live steam Edrig yesterday lunchtime. I had been doing some railway gardening the previous evening knowing I'm to have an "inspection" by Mikey enroute to Chatellerault on Sunday. I thought I'd cleared the track of all debris - but there's a hidden section under the bridge.

Now I normally contain my live steam running to the more level upper circuit, but towards the end of the run and enjoying the fine control of the new r/c unit, decided to switch to the route under the bridge.


Applying a quick burst of power to negotiate the upgrade back to La Courriere, the loco hauling two Playmo carriages hurtled under the bridge....




.... hit some debris and rolled ceremoniously into the pond at full steam! Much to the dismay of the pond's permanent residents, five native frogs.

The loco must have been submerged for three or four minutes before I managed to retrieve it and an oily scum had formed on the pond.

Damage assessment...

Polluted pond

Burnt out receiver unit - servo's and battery seem OK

Many scratches to loco paintwork (instant weathering Mike!)

Hurt pride!

Haven't tried a steam up yet - any advice Carl on safety precautions?

Brian, that form of weathering is a little drastic!! Hope all is repairable.

mikey

"....an oily scum had formed on the pond."

No problem- it's simply mosquito control. Problem solved!

I am sure it'll be fine, Send some picture of the patient recovery.

Brian....apart from the electrics the engine should be fine unless of course any mechanical impact damage.

Let it dry out and give it a liberal coating of WD40 or similar.

Put half a fill of water and gas and give it a tentative fire up.


My Caradoc had two dips in the pond......!

KleineDicke wrote:

"....an oily scum had formed on the pond."

No problem- it's simply mosquito control. Problem solved!

Fortunately this particular pond has a constant water flow (it powers the POLA watermill) and mosquitos were never a problem unlike puddles of static and stagnant water arounnd the place!