Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

Well she's been Black before so who knows. I prefer the green though.

 

Is it just me or does anyone else wonder what the effect of West Coast expanding its fleet will be on other operators? Is the number of steam railtours increasing? If not, will West Coast use their own locos in preference to others? I realise that they don't on the Cambrian and West Highland services, but I think on the West Highland its more a case of "why flog your loco to an early overhaul" when its probably cheaper to pay other people to sacrifice theirs. But as their fleet grows they'll want to keep them earning, so one coud envisage them taking the Cambrian services in house, for example

 

If the evening Jacobite service kicks off, they might need a few more locomtives up there every year. Can't think of anywhere else though.

 

Reading one of the monthly railway magazine a few month ago. But I can't remember which one. There was an article about the number of steam rail tour now being run. According to the article there has been a big increase in steam tours over the last ten years.

 

Brauntons new tender has a water capacity of 5250 gallons.

 

There's still a forgotten Bulleid in all of this, 34073. If the rumours regarding 34016 and 73096 turn out to be true, I wonder what'll happen to 249 Squadron, which I believe is still owned by Mr. Bunch?

 

Yes while 35018 may have a new life about to happen there are still some forgotten Bulleids.

34073
35010
35011
35025 (To be honest I forgot about this loco the other say as nothing has really been heard since it moved from Loughborough to Sellindge
21C123 (though it does as far as I know need a new or extensive repairs to its firebox). Haven't seen it at the Bluebell for a while is she hidden at Horsted as I didn't see her in March unless she has been moved.)

Most other WC/BB/MN's seem to be under restoration/overhaul or are about to recieve restoration/overhaul.

 

35011 & 35025 are undergoing slow restoration at Sellindge...

35010 had an appeal for her cylinder in a mag a year or two back but it has been said often the group who owns her are concentrating on their other locomotive first, a black 5.

And if you are listing Bulleids that are waiting for an overhaul you have missed out 35005, 34016 and of course until 34053 is complete, 34010, plus 34058 may have a wait at MHR.

 

Martin you may just have given me my new identity for when 73096 leaves the MHR : Super-Black 5! That is if 73096 gets painted back in black of course!

 

After the Bluebell 50 Gala Blackmoor Vale was stored at Horsted Keynes but returned to the running shed at Sheffield Park on 2nd April. She needs a new inner firebox that the Bulleid Society are trying to raise the funds for.

 

How about 5 gti , or 5 on steriods because the way she goes she is on something as for super black 5 i think that ian riley might want a word or 2 with you about that , but he did admit some time back, when he was still on here that the standard was a more refined engine

 

Back to Bulleids, there's a bit more news regarding 34039's overhaul on the loco's respective website.

 

It's no surprise that Bodmin and the Std 5 will have a mainline future, nor that they are probably heading to Carnforth, initially. They may not actually be owned by WCRC, though. Remember that Tangmere is privately owned by a friend and business associate of David Smith, IIRC, and operated on his behalf by WCRC. Although I will be sad to see them leave the Mid Hants, I'll be pleased to see them back at work on the mainline. I wonder if either of them will have air brakes fitted? That really would make them "go anywhere, haul anything" locos.

We could do with them this year, couldn't we? With Leander withdrawn early, Braunton not ready for the mainline yet, 777 dropped because she doesn't have air brakes, Tornado unable to work a number of tours, and Britannia and Duke Of Gloucester suffering mechanical problems, the steam fleet is looking pretty stretched just at the moment.

 

Not knocking Black 5's beacause they are fine engines, but its odd that there arent more standard 5's (a couple of inches makes all the difference- apparently) with their higher permitted speeds mainlining. 73129 being top of my wish list....
Bulleids are relatively poorly represented given how many have actually been restored... Braunton then City of Wells soon please...
-also -
Did any of the high capacity (5t/6000 gallon) merchant navy tenders ever make preservation ?

 

I think Bodmin and the standard 5 would quite easily find mainline work. They are not heavily restricted gauge wise, have good haulage capabilities and are 75mph certificated. Just look at how much work Tangmere & the Brits pick up.. There is a shortage of certified locos and companies like West Coast are in a very good position to find them work. The steam railtour business does seems pretty healthy and growing, particularly in the dining sector. The railtour I was on on Saturday had only 2 standard classs carriages and the vast majority of punters were not enthusiasts. Nearly always premier dining & first class will sell out well before standard. These are the people who are subsiding our hobby! Can only think that when the economy picks up demand can only increase as disposable income increases.

 

the tender fitted to 35018 is an original high capacity tender, i believe it was one of the self weighing types that got converted if you have chance to look at any pictures of 34105, when she first ran in preservation, you can see that the tender is a high sided without the raves , i think that the BB on the bluebelle has a reconstructed replica of this type of tender

 

The tender behind 35005 CP which is now behind 34007 Wadebridge is a 6000 gallon high capacity tender and the tender hired for 34007 Wadebridge which belongs to 34059 Boscastle is also a 6000 gallan tender.

 

I think the tender now with 34105 is an "unrebuilt" one with the raves. Is this a new build with or without new frames, or an original? I understand several tender frames were retrieved from steelworks used as ingot carriers. Is 34105's original preservation tender the one now with 35005/34007?

 

I seem to have a vague memory that Tyseley may have increased CanPac’s tender water capacity sometime during the ‘blue’ era when it was based there.

 

no the tender i was on about is the one that now is with 35018 , yes the one that 34105 has is a new tank on an ex mn chassis the tank was sold to Brocklebank line and a new body built by plentys of newbury to the original unrebuilt design was made and fitted