Back Of The Shed

So no interest in the Broad Gauge then? Are Crewmania or Derbyitis rearing their heads?

A few candidates have occured, but I went for choices that aren't (AFAIK) currently in anyone's overhaul queue. Although I'm more a 'Southern' type, Castle Class "Defiant" is a favourite of mine. It's not just that it's last operational stint showed how good a loco it is, I confess to liking the idea of a name so appropriate for a spirited performer which has survived it's intended dismemberment not once, but twice (the second time originally intended to be at the hands of our lot!). Since an announcement that a return to service is in the pipeline, it didn't seem sufficiently hidden at the 'back of the shed'. Unique BG survivor "Tiny", on the other hand ......

 

I was allowed a short footplate ride on her a few years ago. I would love to ride on the footplate down Whiteball at 60 mph. With no cab doors it would be better than bungee jumping.

 

When I initially started this thread it was mostly out of curiosity to learn of locomotives that have ran in preservation but have been waiting to be overhauled for a while - either due to expensive repairs, being at the back of the queue or perhaps no longer being suitable to the railway in which they reside.

My favorite discovery however has been of the three surviving 72xx's of which none have been restored. Just unlucky or do they fall into the 'not suitable for most heritage railways for some reason' category?

 

I am looking forward to the Manning Wardle Gala in 2026 marking 100 years since they went out of business. Locos to include Charwelton, Warwickshire and Sir Berkeley

 

Well said, I will be there too!

 

Nope. I asked on another thread, 'How many ways are there of asking, what is your favourite engine?' This just follows the same pattern.

For various reasons, throughout my working life I have undergone many psychometric tests, and every one of them gives me an overwhelming characteristic of pragmatist. I don't wish on stars, I don't send letters to Santa; if I want something to happen, then I do what I can to make it happen. If it's beyond what I can do, I leave it and turn my attention to something that I can achieve, rather than waste time simply wishing.

What we have here is just a list of engine numbers. No-one except The Black Hat has mentioned either the potential problems in restoring their nominated candidate, who will do the work, or who will pay, all minor matters of course. One of the engines mentioned is the 8F on the SVR, and I know a lot about this engine. Now I'm very attached to that engine; I joined the Society in 1968, joined the working parties, have fired and driven it and am now the Society's Archivist. I'd dearly love to see it back in steam. Here's the reality. That engine's last ticked started before the SVR installed the reverse osmosis water treatment, as a result both boiler and firebox need major work. All tyres are down to scrapping size. The right hand cylinder is broken, and although the welded repair has so far held up, a new cylinder is highly desirable. The tender tank is badly corroded and a replacement tank is needed, all these above all the normal work needed for an overhaul. I'd estimate that, on what is known, this overhaul will cost in the region of £800,000, and I know that more will be found when the engine is stripped down, adding to the cost. Anyone got a spare £1M stashed away?

And similar will apply to all the others mentioned. Their overhaul and return to steam require a business plan: how much will it cost, who can do it, will there be a consummate return on the investment (which might be historically rather than financially). If all the boxes tick positive, go ahead. Otherwise, carry on with your wishing, including a Lamborghini and a Lear jet!

 

Deleted - Groundhog day - again!

 

I hate it when glitches produce double post too!

I would point out that if forum rules meant every suggestion is to be restricted to fully itemised and costed plans, we wouldn't be left with much beyond the perennial livery froth!

 

They are a favourite of mine so I tend to keep a close eye on them and cannot wait until at least 1 steams, think their size doesn't make them that practical for many railways (although to be fair they are just a 42/52 with a bigger bunker!), plus think there have been reasons why restorations have been slow - the below is off the top of my head and I am happy to be corrected;

7200 - I get the impression that the group restoring are quite small, but from their website they look to be doing sterling work, so fingers crossed. Not sure where she will run when finished?
7202 - Progress is being made but has taken time maybe due to commitments elsewhere at Didcot, seems to be similar in state to 7200 so not sure who will steam first - again she seems a very big girl for the DRC demonstration line?
7229 - IIRC at one stage there was some issue regarding ownership (didn't a lot have people have shares but not all could be found), was taken inside at Bury the other year so fingers crossed. - She (along with 7027) was for many years my fantasy lottery win locomotive.

 

I'm probably talking out of school because I have no insider knowledge on any of the 72's, but I'd say unlucky in the sense that they are stabled in situations where they are unlikely to ever be close enough to the front of the que to recieve the resources to 'get it done'. Compare them to what the 4253 crew are achieving with what seems like relative lightning speed on the smell of an oily rag and from worse than Barry condition to boot. The last couple of years have seen some very encouraging progress with the 72's to be fair.

Possibly they might have been seen as unsuitable in the past - a big engine with no name??? Certainly would now be suitable motive power for a railway that can run longer rakes over inclines. I do wonder about the impact that GWR new-build distraction has on the scene too, in regards as to where enthusiast's money and focus ends up.

Money and manpower. Money and manpower. Money and manpower.

 

Ditto on the last line! (@LMS2968 Fully costed see! )

 

Fair point. To be honest that's a very good candidate to be left exactly how it is.

 

Is there a spare pair of cylinders from the relatively recently scrapped 8f somewhere- I thought they were some of the components that were saved?

I was chatting with someone at the KWVR- I get the impression that 48431 is in a similarly worn out condition

Chris

 

As far as I can remember, the outer firebox on 48431 is all about knackered, having been patched quite extensively. Similarly I seem to remember the copper inner 'box was also life expired. Running gear is well worn. I don't know about the condition of the cylinders and boiler though...

Richard.

 

I haven't got a spare million, but if there's a collecting tin on any of the locos in the Engine House, I'll gladly make donations when I visit during the year.

Richard.

 

I'm not sure they'd fit, though; there were three different cylinder castings for the 8Fs (and probably Black Fives). I think the Society has looked at this. There was also a suggestion of taking one from 'Thistlegorm'!

 

I'd like to see someone try that! How long would it take to even uncover the securing bolts under all the concretions, let alone remove the damned things?!

Richard.

 

Riley's. I think one has already been used.

 

Delete.

 

Might I suggest................

Examples of all preserved 'post grouping' classes have run in preservation, except the GWR 2-8-2, BUT as thats a rebuild of the 2-8-0T I sugest we can knock that out.

So, looking at whats left, some are still active eg the Swanage M7 the T9, and a lot of the locos on the Bluebell & IOWSR.

Taking them away whats possibly steamable? Some of those (City of Truro & The Compound) I might then take out on the basis that a similar operational loco exists - in their case the T9 (Ie they are all large 4-4-0's)

Any idea what we might be left with after that and any suggestions as to what might be the most interesting candidate to return to steam? I would possibly take into account things like how well loco's of that type are represented in preservation, the importance of the design etc etc

Anyone like to suggest a candidate?