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7027 Thornbury Castle

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by svrhunt, Jan 18, 2015.

  1. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    IIRC 7027 was extracted from Barry as a source of spares with no intention to restore (likewise with 5043) so not sure at what stage she became a viable restoration project I would assume not until Tyseley sold her although I am not sure who to? I am sure it has been discussed on here before, I am not sure how the decision was reached to restore 5080 in the mid 80's then 5043 into the 90's?

    I think the only chance of a 'Star' being available for hire waas an abortive scheme to use 7027 frames and a no.1 boiler (from 2873 IIRC hence her now being boilerless) but again I recall little about that.
     
  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    7027 was originally planned to be returned to steam. Boiler was in very good order having been overhauled shortly before withdrawal . 5080 and 5043 were bought as the spare engines . At some point in the mid 80's the decision was taken to restore 5080 as it was a GWR engine (as opposed to a BR build) and 7027 got relegated . The financial problems that hit tyseley in the early 90's I believe caused its sale . 5043 was restored as the mission impossible engine becoming the star performer that it has been

    All the best to the new owner . what is left I believe is in good order, but the restoration estimate will still need very deep pockets
     
  3. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    Sorry to disagree but as I remember it the chassis of 5043 was to be combined 2873's No1 boiler to recreate a Star. 7027 was to provide a spare boiler for 7029.
    Ray.
     
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  4. BrightonBaltic

    BrightonBaltic Member

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    Crying shame it won't go mainline, what's the point of restoring a hugely expensive 6ft8ins express loco to potter about at 25mph on a flat and mostly featureless line in the East Midlands? It belongs on the main line so it can actually work and eventually return to its old haunts in the south-west...
     
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  5. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    And how many locos is there in the overhaul queue at loughborough besides 70013 34039 63601 and 48624 getting a inspection and strip down to see what work needs doing at a guess like, and thorbury castle 7027 is probably going to be a long term project anyhow just lke when j pratt bought her and couldent afford it cos of probs on the W.S.R. good luck to the G.C.R. lads with her.
     
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  6. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Well I'm sure the new owner values your opinion and you monetary contribution towards the cost of mainline operation...
     
  7. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

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    For a locomotive to "go mainline" Network Rail require it to be fitted with OTMT/OTDR, AWS/TPWS & GSM-R equipment, which is not only expensive but difficult to install on a steam loco that is 50+ years old. And that's before you get into the matter of gauging, GWR locos were generally built to a more generous loading gauge partly as a result of the company's broad gauge heritage.
    Restoring a steam loco to operational condition is a hugely expensive exercise and the new owner has obviously decided that they can't afford the cost of the extra equipment NR require on top of the restoration costs.

    Yes, it's a shame we'll never see 7027 storming along the main line at 60mph, but we will see it in action at some point in the future which is surely better than it being left as the rusty shell it is today.
     
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  8. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    I think that the plans changed many times over the years, the 'Star' project was one of the relatively later (1970s) ones; not the reason it was bought from Barry.
     
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  9. Jimc

    Jimc Part of the furniture

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    Not so. Nothing to do with the broad gauge. Myth falls apart on examination.
     
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  10. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    What have the problems with the WSR got to do with the funding of 7027, I wasn't aware that JJP was funding the WSR personally?
     
  11. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    When did 2873 leave Barry, IIRC her boiler etc was supposed to go to 3803? not sure when the boiler ended up at Tyseley and is it actually 2873's or 3803's?
     
  12. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Cough up the cash then...
     
  13. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    The same point as restoring most of the steam fleet at any Heritage Line, most of which will never venture near a main line again.
     
  14. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    DragonHandler said ...
    "...Yes, it's a shame we'll never see 7027 storming along the main line at 60mph, but we will see it in action at some point in the future which is surely better than it being left as the rusty shell it is today."
    In fact, 7027 will be able to do Exactly that......as it races through Quorn with the TPO set! :D
     
  15. daveb

    daveb Member

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    From memory, the boiler on 3803 is the one from 2873. The boiler which came with 3803 from Barry is somewhere at Tyseley, and 2873's chassis is at Buckfastleigh.
     
  16. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    That was the impression I got, I also recall that there are perhaps motion parts on 2807?
     
  17. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    It's not so much the money, I think, more the time and commitment required to run the WSR. Besides, JJP has 2(?) other locos to keep running. The impression from SR news items etc is that 7027 is one worry too many and won't get any serious attention for years...
     
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  18. Kinghambranch

    Kinghambranch Well-Known Member

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    Several of the motion parts on 2807 are from its current shedmate under restoration, 2874, but don't tell anyone!;)
     
  19. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    Very sorry for that slight mistake its the members and people who travel on the WSR that keep the line funded to keep running and the dedicated volunteers who keep the rolling stock and permanent way maintained, is it the new owner and G.C.R. shareholders who would be funding the restoration of 7027 then and possibly at loughborough?
     
  20. mogulb

    mogulb New Member

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    7027 is being restored at Loughborough and the overhauled paid for by the new owner!
     

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