NP Loco of the year

The loco that everyone seems to forget about - 48151. What a machine. I had four trips behind it this year (the first four "Cumbrian Coast Fellsman" trains). Even if it managed to barbeque Eskmeals Viaduct, that was one hell of a day that I won't be forgetting any time soon. Alternatively, I'd vote for 5690, as all three trips that I had with it (Fellsman 5 & 6 and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Dalesman) were all very good, especially timing over the S&C on the latter.

Surprised no-one has mentioned 46115 or 70013 yet - both fantastic restoration jobs and I look forward to riding behind them in the future.

 

Quite the opposite, there are many a preserved line loco that exceed 10,000 miles a year, the average mainline railtour is probably in the region of 200-250 miles or so, need to do quite a few of those to rack up 10,000 miles!

 

My heart says Tornado, but I'd go for anything that hasn't let the side down (so that's S160 5197 out for a start) and though I hate the Gas Works Rly and their antique loco policy with a passion, in the spirit of Christmas you've got to admire that rude Ashton Hall ! =D>

 

34067 must be the main lime loco of the year. It seems to be here there and everywhere his year again. It just shows how good a Bulleid pacific is.
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Narrow Gauge loco has to be Earl Of Merioneth.
Main line loco 76079.
Loco Runing on a private line The Taff Vale Tank 85.
And for industrial loco it was nice to see Nunlow run again.

 

I'd say anything that is widely praised for been average at best and having a massive following on nat pres should be ruled out as its obvious people are going to suck up. :-k

 

As a GWR fan, this hurts, but 45110, not for any stunning perfromance, or for and amazing reliability, and it didn't make it right through the year, going out of ticket in the summer, but for hauling the first public train over the Rebuilt Severn Valley Railway.

 

What ! not a mension of Scots Guardsman ? tis 2008 we are talking about ?

 

If we're talking about locos that kept going, how about Robert Heath No.6? Soldiering on is one phrase, but working hard right up to the end, including performing its last runs with the chimney stuffed with rags (well, until it threw them away!), is surely something quite rare!

 

Not totally sure about that statement, but I'm willing to be corrected!

Big, Black & everyone's got one, but 45212 has put in the "Hard Miles" at the Moors this year, day in day out (to the extent that you're almost pleased to get a Western as a change!). An exceptional example of her kind too.

 

90733?

 

I think for me it would be 90733 too, but the S160 would be a close second perhaps even equal first. I know this might seem perverse to most enthusiasts who very much prefer mainline express engines but the ordinary mineral engines have always attracted me.

Yes, definitely these two.

 

Depends really what the criteria is. If we are talking about reliability and performance during the whole of 2008, it has to be Mr Rileys 45407 closely followed by 76079.

Newcomer of the year - 60019

 

Catagory 1 has to be the K1, with over 80 mainline runs this year. During the summer the K1 ran for 43 out of 44 days running on 34 consecutive days, a credit to itself and the volunteer NELPG support crews. I fear though that this deserved workhorse will get over looked as the majority will favour the glamour engines.

60163 would have to be a favorutie for Catagory 2 but remember it hasn't pulled a mainline passenger train yet and wont do till 2009, so maybe the A1 trust should win Catagory 4.

 

5. ARISE award for industrial of the year?

 

1. K1

2. 60019

3. 73096

4. 34007 for been completely useless??

 

I'd say 3 covers that.

The format last year i believe was mainline loco of the year, preserved line loco of the year and railtour of the year, this year i thought it best to see peoples opinions before doing a "proper" vote.

Personally i'd be happy to go with Ralphs suggested format.

 

1. 6233 or 45407
2. 46115
3. 75029 or 90733
4. K1 for the Jacobite

 

1 70013 Oliver Cromwell
2. 46115 Scots Guardsman (So OC doesn't win twice)
3. 5199
4. 60163 Tornado/A1 Steam Locomotive Trust