Availability of Main Line Steam Fleet

If the firebox on 34067 is knackered, could the boiler/firebox unit from 249 Squadron be put to use ?.

 

Very true but wasn't there some issue over loaned parts for 44932 or vice versa? Not seen any reports the transfer has been completed but it may have occurred on the qt.

 

Was there not a suggestion 73 is to donate to 16 for similar reasons?

 

Are Bodmin and 34073 in common ownerships? Not sure about Tangmere? Could make sharing parts complicated?

 

The 34046 situation at the moment is of concern to me. Correct me if I'm wrong but are they (Crewe) going to need to do tire work on her like what the 70013 people have had to go through recently?

I like how the Oliver Cromwell people are taking their time with running in Ollie at the moment. Let's face it the Sept-Christmas schedule for their engine could be busy. But who knows?
Too many engines to talk about.

 

In the absence of any IoS style official engagement the common consent seems to suggest 16 and 73 acquired by the 10A 'group' with 67 owned by an associate of the WC supremo although an RAIB report implied it was owned and maintained by CRRES but hired to WC. A parent company is Steamtown Railway Museum Ltd.
Apologies for any misinterpretations of the publicly available information.

 

I thought that 16 & 73 were owned by Mr Bunch as is the standard 5 at Southall?

 

They certainly were and may still be as you describe. Or they may have changed ownership. Unless somebody is prepared to say definitively, and perhaps why should they, it will remain in the realms of speculation.
The only known seems to be both Bulleids at Carnforth so most likely 16 and 73 now in the 10A group, 73096 a Bunch loco.
Again, apologies to whom speculation offends.

 

You may have upset quite a few Lancastrians there Al, or Cumbrians, dependent on their 'take' on the subject...

 

And Mr Smith who is a Yorkist...

 

Today looking at the class 8 power situation here is what we have.
46233: goes out and performs
60163: goes out and performs
60009: receiving maintenance at Ian Riley's should come out strong
6201: on test today

Question marks
6023: will the King make it to the Mainline

In overhaul
35028 , 6024, 35018, 60007

Several others in safe storage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

If 34067's firebox is indeed "knackered" it may well be that it is one of the batch receiving new inner fireboxes at the South Devon Railway over the coming couple of years.

 

60163 won't be allowed to make much of an impact on the wider railtour front with the WCRC position. Don't know if SD or RTC might move to using DB and air braked stock to provide proper steam hauled trains. I very much doubt it as they both seem happy to use engines from the Carnforth Pool and an assisting diesel to 'make up' Class 8 equivalent load haulage of vacuum braked sets. Hope No9 will be available after it's Scotrail commitments but will there be air braked sets for it to operate without a diesel? The stock situation is as much of an issue as the availability of engines. Presumably the 11 coach set used behind 60103 must be air braked, and friends on the Duchy with the Duchess said that train was air braked and ran on the same day as a Waverley so that's another 8. So must be close to there being 2 10 coach rakes available when the air braked Class 8s are available. Will be interesting to watch the situation as the year rolls by, especially with the new autumn loading restrictions.

 

Speculation of this nature doesn't help anyone.
Locos will be ready when they are ready,
Don't try to second guess owners, As to what they are doing because you will end up, disappointed.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if the ' The Icons of steam/Loco services/ thingy' rake which is steadily growing is to be air or at last dual braked. Must say the Blood and custard MK2's are very easy on the eye - going to need a generator car ( or one with a pantograph) for a rake of those to avoid the box...

 

I wasn't aware that the braking system had any sort of effect upon the speeds allowed?

 

Is 60009 air brake only then? WCRC have various dual braked sets (see the SSE which runs air under diesel to York then vacuum thereafter, hence why a Cl56 could be used earlier this year. of the under repair/overhaul class 8's are any air only (possibly Tornado) otherwise there is no reason why they cannpot work with WCRC under vac or air?

 

How popular will they be with the enthusiasts though with no top light openers - unless one stands in the vestibule it doesn't really matter what is on the front you won't be able to hear it?