7027 Thornbury Castle

I see that 7027 warrants a single paragraph in the latest FoGCML Main Line - basically thanking all the volunters who contributed "hundreds of hours of their own time working on the engine in the expectation that it would steam again...."
I don't think any other comment is necessary.

 

I noticed that too - and thought it a very well judged comment that said everything necessary, while avoiding anything contentious

 

I must confess I never realised she was originally a saddle tank, so yet another rather peculiar decision from the GWS overhauling a locomotive whilst laudable in her own right with no link to the auspices of the GWS and Didcot?

 

As Didcot used to run quite a few Thomas events (inc Christmas with Thomas) it made sense to have their own Thomas. Not sure why that changed, but assume the Thomas event fees probably played a large part in the decision to stop those events.
I believe the original saddle tanks have been kept, so it wouldn't be too hard to convert back to original form.

 

So in other words it's now just an inauthentic side tank, not even a T****s lookie-likie. Nice. Was the saddletank kept, or has it been condemned? Be nice to see it restored as it should be.

Richard.

 

No, next time round they should turn it into a pannier tank...

 

Shouldnt that be GWR Green with a shirt button emblem on the tanks,

 

I leave the colour change for the keen student!

 

I am a bit confused - is there an intention to convert Thornbury Castle to a saddle tank now?.....

 

Yes, using the saddle tank from King George and the bunker from the remains of 5227.

 

Did the GWR ever sketch out a design for a large-wheel 4-6-0T fast goods loco? That's all it would take!

 

Correct - the amounts charged by Mattel became untenable and yes the original saddle tanks have been kept. Plan will be to hire out in due course but we really need 1466 operating to do that. King George is now in full lined out livery and has been doing great service on the branch line for the Santa Specials.

 

As the person responsible for cutting up Trojan's original boiler barrel, I would agree. We put a punch through the bottom of the barrel. Heavily coated with scale. Brass tubes probably didn't help.

 

One thing I've noticed both here and elsewhere, is the amount of [semi self righteous] indignation over the situation 7027 has found itself in. Then when it comes to the crunch and these people are collectively asked to splash the cash. They can't be seen for dust as they run away. As the restoration/overhaul of 7027 is up to the mysterious somebody else to finance.

 

There are very few new "doers" in preservation now and there is much assumption that long time "doers" , many now pensioners, will simply carry on leading from the front ad infinitum. It is very regrettable but unsurprising to me that nobody has grasped the nettle apparently with 7027 and made its survival & eventual restoration their own crusade. Far too many reasons (excuses) for not doing so would no doubt would be put forward.

A good job that folk were more willing to lead in the 60s/70s/80s or we would have little to interest us now.