SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

45110 wasn't steamed until 6 August 1998, with a month of running in before re-entering service, which I suppose didn't give much of a window of opportunity before 2968 was out of ticket.

 

I didn’t realise the overlap was as small as that, I recall 2968 coming back from ‘Steam on the Met’ as that was an interesting way of getting it back to Bridgnorth with 80079(?) and it’s support coach from a mainline tour.
From memory I recall 48773 being at the open day at Toton at the start of August, ‘Be here now’ by Oasis being released on the 23rd, working on the Conflat at Arley the same day, doing Deltic 22 to Penzance on the Saturday, Diana passing away the following weekend, then later seeing ‘5110 and ‘8773 at Bodmin in October during half term. Or have I got my years mixed up? I’m sure I have

 

I have photos of both of them at Bodmin General! As I say we used to stay in Lostwithiel (not 37 related at all ) on the Sunday my mum and myself were going through Bodmin when I saw wisps of steam, fair play to me mum she asked if I wanted to see the ‘train’ so very quickly we parked up then mum asked ‘these look nice, do they work here?’
‘Actually Mum they work at the SVR’
‘Oh great, so we’ve come all this way to see something we could see at home’

 

2968 returned from Steam on the Met by road as her firebox stays would not pass the exam for main line running. They were condemned completely in October 1998.

 

Its mainline stint was rather brief wasn’t it? It did seem to make quite a few friends though especially with 7325… (sighs) the mid to late 90’s were bloody brilliant for variety on the mainline weren’t they?

 

I know there was some sort of cock up (paperwork maybe?) I’m sure @LMS2968 can tell us the truth.
My own opinion from the enthusiast point of view is that it’s a decent peice of kit, it’s quite happy with load 6 or 8 behind it, it can make a bit of noise, I’m told it’s economical, popular with those that work on it… yada yada
Basically it ticks all the boxes.
Unless of course your from Hayling Island…

 

The seat was always in the same position. It isn't the most ergonomical of such seats because the side windows are about four inches lower than other Stanier classes, similar to the Horwich Crabs, so when raised it stands above the lower edge of the windows. Photos of various class members also show this. But new mounting holes were never drilled in the cab side. It's always been there.

 

Basically, RESCO became subject to an audit of the paperwork of all the locos they certificated, but when it came to 2968 this couldn't be found. We were facing the prospect of starting again from the beginning with the process and the projected cost, over and above what we had already spent, was unacceptable. Our aim was to maintain the engine in working order for use on preserved railways, the SVR in particular. Main line running was always the icing on the cake, but not the cake itself, and this desideratum had reached the stage where it was endangering the main aim.

Load six to eight is more than a bit on the conservative side for any Class 5. It was quite happy with ten and eleven bogies and certainly would have taken more if asked. We know from experience that, like the Horwich Crabs, it's stronger than a Black Five although, with six inch smaller wheels, not as speedy.

 

Thank you for that response, my comment about being happy with load 6 or load 8 was that it’s a machine that’s more than happy working within itself, we know it can take a bit more and it’s more than capable of doing so.
Just need to get that loop at Hampton Loade sorted now.

 

Holyhead 19 October 1997. See 36.59. Cold start of ten coach 395 ton train against a 1 in 75 gradient.

 

2968 Gregson Lane 21-12-1996.

 

About 2 hours later crossing Ribblehead

 

Cheers Bob, nothing like making the rest of us feel inadequate…

 

Omaha was taken out of service part way though yesterday and replaced by Hagley Hall.
Anyone know what the problem was with Omaha? It seemed to be steaming well on the way up to Bridgnorth when I was travelling behind it before it was taken off.