Following our trials and tribulations, next day, No. 1859 was back in service and on asking Jack Meanwell about the gent on the train, it seemed he had complained, but had been told “if you ask daft questions when men are doing their best you can expect similar answers.”
It transpired that the blastpipe on No. 1860 had been rocking on loose bolts which still gave the petticoat pipe a clean edge all round suggesting a centralized blast pipe, But when in motion it rocked about, thereby destroying the smokebox vacuum and inhibiting steaming. That helped to explain the woolly smoke at the chimney after each firing and why it came round so quickly while standing.
After that, when looking in the smokebox, I always used the shovel to make sure that the blast pipe was firmly secured.
Perhaps I may be permitted a light hearted story
