Strathspey Railway

A number of people are including the 9F in the future steam fleet. I seem to recall that the loco is there for contract overhaul and no decision has been made yet on where it will run when it is completed.
Speaking of which, @Foxontour will the 92219 overhaul blog be returning? It was an enjoyable read

 

Technically, only No. 46512 (assuming you're referring to the three engines currently in service) is in ownership of the railway. Even then, @Foxontour would be better to ask if it's the Company or the Trust that owns it, as I cannot recall that myself.

No. 5025 is owned by the Watkinson Trust, and No. 46464 owned by the Carmyllie Pilot Company Ltd.
Both were overhauled (or at least partially) by the team in Aviemore shed, so will have certain contractual agreements in place regarding usage on the railway, but privately owned locomotives can always relocate for X or Y reason.

So another locomotive to be owned by the railway directly can be seen as a healthy attempt to secure a positive long term motive power position.

Should also note, that while I've mentioned about No. 5025 and 46464 being privately owned and private engines can end up walking off, both owning groups appear to be more than happy with being based at Aviemore and there's no suggestion of such a doom scenario occurring.

 

I will believe that when I see it, sadly - but don't get me wrong, I would love to see it. But dealing with the A95 is going to be a major operation - and not one that can be done in small segments, as material is donated (like extending the line to the Dulnain crossing). Some government (Scotland, etc) will have to be involved - and all governments are even shorter of money these days than they always were.

Noel

 

The owners of 828 (Caledonian 828 Trust) are quite happy with the relaxed lifestyle 828 has at Tunbridge Wells. It was never our intention to keep her on hire beyond October 2022, but alas, she has been with us for 4 years now, and whilst she is a long way from home, she is very much loved and looked after. In that time, 828s had the back driving axle boxes worked on/repaired, tender tyres turned, both big end bearings remachined, numerous cab fittings overhauled and more recently, machining of the slide valves. It lives in the shed when not in use and earns money each time it's used toward a future overhaul. Technically, the boiler ticket has about 4 more years on it.

The recent repairs to the steam leaks on the front end have improved visibility out the front of the loco. I took her on 2 unplanned trips during our recent Day Out With Thomas event to cover for Thomas, who failed. We were allowed to put a face on 828, and made it Donald! Without any speed restrictions, it really enabled the loco to get into her stride, pulled up to 4th notch, and gradually you can get the regulator fully open. My fireman had it nailed at 170 psi with the fireman's side injector as we worked up the hill to Tunbridge Wells. Pure Caledonian Railway magic. I absolutely love the loco!

The owners, however, and I do understand this, don't like the idea of the engine going on and off a lorry; she is an elderly lady who needs gentle care and looking after. She's still, however, a very capable engine that can handle everything we ask of it and proves incredibly popular with crews and visitors alike. The current hire is ongoing and will be extended further if the owners are happy to do so.

 

Catching up on activities at Bo'ness, I read that 80105 will earn it's keep running at The Strathspey once boiler stay repairs have been completed.

 

92219 hasn't been touched for about 16 months. Stage one, strip the loco has been completed, the boiler has been separated from its ash pan and mountings, it is sitting on small packers ready to lift. When the next stage is started, which is lift the boiler and the frames from the wheels so that they can be re profiled, the blog will continue.

 

Many thanks for the update. Good to hear that the blog will be resuming!

 

Is it likely No. 17 'Braeriach' will be overhauled when No. 9 is completed?

 

I wouldn't have thought so. It has a lot of power on tap but that power is suited for a speed even lower than 25MPH. Or at the very least hauling material that isn't going to complain about the ride. From what I remember, the rear axle suspension wasn't bolstered for when the bunker capacity was raised. I think it also blew a steam pipe which put a damper on its ticket. Personally, I'd like to see it cosmetically restored and put on display when the Fife Heritage Railway opens its big exhibition hall. It really doesn't get more local and exhibit.

 

Well, like most big industrials they were designed for lifting prodigious loads at low speed in relatively short bursts and without much 'timetable' pressure. The Austerity design seems somehow better suited than most other contemporary types to passenger usage. Maybe the extra 3" in the wheel compared to many other six coupled industrial tank designs makes a great difference.
No. 20 at Bo'ness doesn't seem to be in the queue either, sadly. They're handsome machines, the bunker extension on 17 doesn't enhance the aesthetics though, practical as it may be.

 

It is a shame 20 seems to have stalled. 17s time at Bo'ness made a case for its return. A far shorter run between stops and an easier timetable are far more suited to its capability.