46235 City of Birmingham

I find that interesting, as I thought most of the 0-4-0T variety were underpowered for most heritage lines needs, seems the overwhelming majority of working Industrials are 0-6-0's capable of lifting load 3/4 on a reasonable gradient.

 

They've used four coupled locos with success on the Foxfield and that's not what you'd call flat. Middleton, G&WSR, NNR (both in their early days) also operated/have operated four coupled and I'm sure there's others.

 

I think the best place for it is where it is, what is needed is a new build Ivatt-style version, or 4-6-4, with mechanical stoker and caprotti valve gear. I'm off to facebook!

 

Using the Foxfield example, they have working 0-4-0's, but outside of gala's do they see much use solo with their load 3 passenger set ?, seems an Austerity or equivalent 0-6-0 is weapon of choice then, same at Chasewater.

 

Over the years I've had rides behind four coupled at Foxfield. J.T. Daly, Little Barford, Hawarden and no.11. The last three all saw regular use on the section open to passengers.

 

And a pretty rum bunch Birmingham council leadership is. There have been articles in the newspapers for the last 5 years on and off with very little good to say about them. Lack of future vision is one of the more minor criticisms.

 

David, I could find work 10 times over for a good 0-4-0 from the number of calls I've had in the last 12 months asking if I knew anyone with such an engine to hire. I'd also have a good go at it being able to earn its keep much better than a pacific.

 

No doubt when compared to a pacific, just I always thought the ideal was somewhere between the two.

 

If it can't be steamed it hasn't been preserved.

 

Care to give an opinion on the current status of Stephenson's Rocket, then?

Tom

 

Stored pending overhaul

 

The amount it would have to earn to 'earn its keep' would probably be a lot less!
Personally I think COB does a great job of letting people get up close to a huge, powerful express loco. Its not sat rusting outside in the overhaul queue or costing a fortune to run, and we have sister locos in use elsewhere.
It educates and gives the general public an interest in steam locos.

The bournville shunter on the other hand... Bring 'er down to Bitton in a few years and we can have a chocolate engine gala together with the somerdale sentinel!

 

its painted black, its at the NRM forever, it looks incomplete and must has frame problems

so naturally I thought it was undergoing it's overhaul
ok i'll get my coat.

 

Last I saw it was a useless rusty hulk of metal in the science museum.

 

As the old aphorism has it, better to keep quiet and be thought a fool, than open you mouth and confirm it...

Tom

 

I think Tom needs to clarify which Rocket he is talking about. The last time I saw the original it was as Guitar said a rusting hulk in the Science Museum. The Replica - well thats a different issue

 

I think that's an accurate description of the original Rocket in the same way an accurate description of Stonehenge is a pile of crumbling rock.

 

Is it really owned by the City of Birmingham? I thought it was owned by the Science Museum group, meaning that they have duplication in their collection. Therefore it falls within Mr. Coull's remit.

 

If you look back Foxfield have regularly used 4 coupled locos on regular service trains, it's the cylinder size that really dictates what will be suitable at Foxfield, anything less than 12" diameter is really underpowered for the normal service train of 2 modern bogie coaches. The only reason Foxfield is putting out the larger 6 coupled locos at the moment is none of the 4 coupled ones are currently in traffic, with the exception of Kent electric No2 which is spending the winter at Chasewater. The larger 16" four coupled Peckett No.11 could easily take 3 Mk1/2s and has been known to take 4 (I was firing on that occasion).

With regards to Cadbury No.1, it is now unique and, given it's size, would be very handy for any number of the shorter railways. As Anthony says, plenty would be lining up to hire something like that. Foxfield would be delighted to give it a home and double the number of Avonsides currently in residence. However, with its Birmingham heritage and now unique status perhaps it does deserve a place in a suitable museum, suitable conserved.... over to you Mr Coulls