4920 Dumbleton Hall

Until we see it outside 10A with smoke drifting from its chimney

 

The stuff of wizards?

 

Smokus eruptus?

 

A six figure sum for the SDR/4920 group according to SR, they'd be stupid to turn that down in normal times but covid simply meant they had no choice I'd imagine.

Best thing for all parties I would imagine.

 

Was the 4920 group just a sub-group of the SDR? Or were they more of their own entity?

 

"Dumbleton Hall Preservation Society... today holds a 76% stake in the owning South Devon Railway Trust" (Steam Railway)

 

I think they were the SDR, I’m sure they had something in their constitution that could operate a steam railway.

 

I think it was the only example of a loco owning body taking over a railway, as opposed to a railway owning body taking over a loco.

 

The Dhps shareholders own the majority stake in the SDR. As has been said it was 76%. And as is stated in the SDR annual accounts, ultimate control of the railway is the chairman of DHPS. This is Richard Elliot, and has been for years. Once 4920 was returned to steam, by the hard work of the volunteers and enthusiasts who donated, the steaming fees from it's time in service were then given to the SDR for free rather than put into a pot for a return to steam, and now the loco has been sold.
In my opinion its morally wrong what has happened with the loco.

The Dhps society members received an email on the 16th Dec about what was happening, who it was being sold to and the price. I believe the info in that letter probably should not have been sent out to all the members as knowing what's always said in the press, the person (who on the letter it was claimed to have been sold to) likes to conduct his business privately. Which is understandable.

However, and I hope I'm wrong, but seeing the price that it stated it was being sold for, and knowing the condition of the loco, im not sure if a return to steam is very likely. Especially as far as I'm aware no one came down to have a look a the condition of the loco before has to assess its return to steam. Therefore it raises the question of whether the loco will actually be put into a museum/exhibition as a static exhibit instead, and maybe the exhibition is paying for the loco instead, hence why there was not a need to assess the loco, or even try to get it for a cheaper price.

Only time will tell I suppose

 

Could there be a cunning plan to use a second locomotive for static display at Leavesden whilst 5972 is then put back onto the mainline to earn some more funds for Hogwarts?

 

Or provide a boiler that can be overhauled whilst 5972 remains where she is facilitating a quick overhaul for 5972 when any swop may occur?

Out of interest, whilst 5972 has been used for filming purposes, does she fit all the way from Fort William to Mallaig?

 

The exhibition at Leavesden is all about authentic film props - actual things which were used in the filming. If they substitute 5972 for another loco, it loses that authenticity. I can't see them allowing it myself.
(Besides, if that was the plan, wouldn't Warner Bros just hire an out-of-ticket loco off someone else?)

 

Now there’s a can of worms when it comes to locomotive authenticity!

Tom

 

painted red, swap the plates over, who would know, Olton Hall, Dumbleton Hall or Hogwarts Castle? Didn't 34027 also serve as Hogwarts engine at one point if Leavesden wants authentic film props it maybe need to buy an out-of-ticket Bulleid?

 

(Pure speculation) Unless there is scope for some manner of JV between WB and WCR to maintain both the exhibition but also to run mainline Hogworts Express trains, film companies have not had a good year, possibly scope to sweat their assets a little more?

 

Didn't one of the lner locos feature in the films too??

 

I'm not sure tbh but on the subject of authenticity, there are three 5972 'Hogwarts Castles' in existence, the ones in Orlando and Japan being full size replicas afaik

Edit - seems that there are three full size replicas of 5972 - enough to drive trainspotters mad I would imagine ;-)

 

Yep the K1 features in a shot with 5972 numberplate IIRC.

 

Anybody reading this forum would know! Word would get out soon enough. I've been round the exhibition at Leavesden, they make a big thing of the fact that you are seeing the *actual things* which were used in the filming, not just the big stuff but costumes, furniture, magic wands, etc. - all as used and handled by the stars of the films. There are several Weasley Ford Anglias in the exhibition - but all of them were used in the filming. There was only one 'Hall' used in the filming and it is there.

The replicas in Orlando and Japan are not claiming to be the 'authentic, actual loco' from the films. It is a big part of Leavesden's USP.

More likely, I think, if there is an intention to have 'Hogwarts Castle' on the main line, that due to 5972's ongoing commitments at Leavesden the owner decided to buy another Hall for overhaul. That would be my guess.

 

Most definitely they would, I agree.
If 5972 at Warner Bros took a boiler swap with 4920, would this really spoil the 'magic' of authenticity?