Current and Proposed New-Builds

How about a North Eastern T class for preserved line use? It could handle almost all duties but is simple and robust. With no crank axle and a round top boiler the building costs could be kept down and it has a very decent cab to keep the crew comfortable. An excellent performer for its size and the grate is relatively small so the standby costs are low. One of this class hauled 1300 tons up 1 in 108. Now I like black locos but this livery is really handsome.

 

You already beat me to asking that! Of course I’d love to see a new 2P!

 

Ridiculous or not in few years time if you want mainline steam, you may not have a choice, who gives a monkeys what the colour is just as long as you can travel in them behind a proper loco?

 

Make 2 in a cooperation with german locomotive fans and split.
http://www.osterthun.com/2.Static/Xtra2/B40703-Lv.JPG

 

Must admit I too agree with Matt37401 on the subject of Mk3 v older Mk1 or Mk2. I think it's quite a bold move by Mark Allot and the A1/P2 Trusts' to be looking into acquiring at least 1 "set" of Mk3s plus I presume a selection of complete coaches to act as spare/standby stock to cover for maintenance/breakdown of the "main set" and as a possible source of spare part in future. It's just a pity that there are on AFAIK any Mk3 brake coaches. Be interesting if Mark and Co were to do a Pullman job [as Pullman were quite adept at converting their stock] and convert a couple of Mk3s into Brakes.

 

Reading their press release on the subject they seem to be doing just that, with the creation of both a support coach to carry extra water and spares, and a generator/crew accommodation coach. By my reckoning they could masquerade as brake coaches quite well.

I personally like Mk3's and felt the GNER ones were incredibly comfortable back in the day and they're quite a bit younger than some of the Mk1's now! We're fortunate to have so many MK1's in preservation and other uses, but with Network Rail wanting safety and speed, MK3's and 90mph running it seems like the better options for the A1 bods.

Speaking of though, as their roster slowly increases, will they rebrand at some point?

Right now they're the A1/P2 Trust, but in a decade or so it'll be A1/P2/V4/V3 Trust.... It's getting a bit like a Memory Word List Game!

 

But can't mk1s run at 100mph anyway? So that wouldn't be an issue would it?

Jeremy Hoskins company seem to be converting current mk1s to have duel brakes, retention tanks for the toilets and cental door locking from what I have read. So what's wrong with doing that?

 

Not disagreeing and mark 3s are good. Just do them blue/grey, rather than pretending that they were ever maroon or chocolate and cream.

 

It is handsome, but ..... your reasoning !! ..... and after the G5 folks have gone to so much trouble to get a pukka NER crank axle design through acceptance too .....

https://m.facebook.com/348057485267...566757293397440/?type=3&source=49&__tn__=EH-R

 

Yes, agreed - The Midland and LMS had a whole host of different "Rebuilt" class 3s in various forms, plenty of variation to chose from, with H boilers, belpaires etc... Still the same poor front-end, but slightly more grunt to be had perhaps...

Richard.

 

I think the Midland were more honest and called them renewals. Of the Midland 583 class belpaire 2Ps handed over to the LMS, for example, how much of the original Johnson engines were left? Accountants rebuilds would be a better description, a ploy to allow them to be charged to the revenue rather than the capital account.

 

Even as a LNER guy I'd be quite interested in a 2P They did very well on the old G&SWR when they were in original condition with the bypass valves. And it would represent the Fowler era quite well.

 

It depends what bogies they're on.

 

I am a mechanical engineer and I like simplicity and accessability.

 

Chocolate and Cream and apple green?! They wouldn't go!

 

It did look pretty good on the SVR with the Blood n Custard. Mind, I then wanted to get an Apple and Blackberry pie and some hot custard...

 

You could turn the brakes into carriages for those who wish to record sound and/or vision - duckets, anybody?

 

It does nothing to improve the crash-worthiness of a Mk. 1.

 

The MK3's are renowned for their safety. It's why some companies have been so slow to let their sets go. It's only now stuff like the 800s are about which're just as good safety-wise that they're even considering it. Makes you wonder what sort of price the Mk3's will command though, as they "cascade" out of England and Wales.

 

Which is why I think the good people in charge of the A1 trust are being sensible in going for Mk3 stock. It's possibly the best stuff built in these Isles.