5029 going to steam again!!

Yesterday, Icons of steam announced to the surprise of many that Nunney Castle shall be returning to network rail during the second half of next year

I was thinking that she was going to be away for a much longer period of time. This is fantastic news.

 

Link to the news: http://www.iconsofsteam.com/2015/10/news/1400/

Chris

 

Exellent news, could have three Castles out to play in a few years with 7029 and 4079 due, and that's assuming 5043 doesn't get a quick turnaround.

 

The recent Tyseley model had been to turn round locos pretty quickly because they look after them so well whilst in service. They are generally still mechanically excellent when the boiler has to be lifted. Would be hopeful 5043 benefits similarly when the time comes.

 

What sort of mileages are locos doing in their ten year turns? Before WW2 the GWR was sometimes getting as much as 400,000 miles before a Castle's boiler lift with a lot of emphasis on water quality. And what do people do about water quality on the mainline? Do they have to put up with what they can get, or seek out good quality water? Or do they rely on water treatment systems?

 

The impression I get is that boiler life has much more to do with "heating cycles" (if that's the right phrase) than with mileage.

I know that the MNLPS have been very careful about water treatment during the recently expired boiler ticket, adding measured quantities of "treatment" to the tender every time its topped up, so it will be very interesting to hear how well, or not, the boiler has fared in that time.

A few years ago, there was a chap who posted here regularly who was convinced of the efficacy of certain boiler treatments derived, IIRC, from Da Porta's work. I think he was friendly with the 6024 association...

 

Keeping in mind that 5029 and 6024 just a little further down the line shall be great to have on the Torbay expresses and more. Adding 4079 & 6023 to the mix with whichever tyseley castle is out and about Great Western steam picture looks strong. 3 or 4 Castles, 2 kings and to not forget Roody on Shakespeare's!!!

 

Excellent news and it is to be hoped that the standard of restoration and subsequent maintenance matches that that has made the Earl such a reliable machine.

 

The Icons Of Steam Loco page for 5029 says that she is undergoing overhaul to return her to Main Line action in 2018.