7027 Thornbury Castle

If only SLL at Herston did GW.........

I see in latest news that SLL are to embark on the restoration of rebuilt Light Pacific 34058 currently residing at Arlesford - a parallel restoration with 34010 Sidmouth

Of the 20 surviving Bulleid Light Pacifics, this will leave only 34051 SirWC and 34073 249Squadron, not to have been returned to steaming and with the latter's boiler fitted to Tangmere, only 34051's boiler will not have been restored. And who said that an 8th Castle is too much for the preservation movement? ;-)

 

On that score I think the reason is the class of loco, LIGHT Pacific.

 

Indeed so - The Castle is 13 tons lighter than the LIGHT Pacific ;-) (and nothing to do with the fact that 7027 has a tender whilst the unrestored Bulleid doesn't ;-) )

 

Is that the real weight, or the mystical "Swindon adjusted specific gravity of steel" weight?

Tom

 

Imaginative weighing technique local to Wiltshire? Maybe the amount of brass and copper was merely to hide the quantity of Wiltshire steel?

I guess that the Bulleid in question is very light of steel atm compared to the kit of parts for 7027 although I've got no dog in this fight - I'd want both to be restored. I'd also add that Bulleid LIGHT likely means a bit lighter than a Merchant, relatively speaking.

 

The Bulleid has a lower maximum axle loading though. Just being a pacific puts the overall weight up. But (my calcs based solely on axle loads) I think the Light Pacific just meets RA5 (RA6 LNER) in the current Network rail scheme, but the Castle would be RA6 (7). The Bulleid is still red route in GWR terms though, but it is about a ton lighter on the driving axles.

 

I recall a MNLPS member telling me a Bulleid cab was light as a feather compared to a Stanier one.

Dave

 

Yes, the original, not the rebuild. But that was my calculation based solely on axle load, there is more to the full classification, but ISTR hearing that the increase in weight of the rebuilds was just enough to put them over the limit for certain lines. The statement is on this page for instance: https://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/Class_Details/Bulleid_Light_Pacifics.html

 

The reason why we have so many Black Fives is that they were among the last locos in service and the majority were purchased in working order. The progress of those that were bought as Barry wrecks isn't so great.

 

Reminds me of having to correct my Dad a few years ago, he sent me a lovely photo of 34053 at the SVR with a short rake and a caption saying something like, ‘looks like it’s on its way to North Devon’
My reply beginning with ‘Actually Father, I’ll think you’ll find…’ resulted in a short reply from him ‘Nobody likes a smart arse son’

 

Rebuilds did get to Devon right at the end after some track upgrades, but I think only on the Plymouth line. (Away from references to check).

Tom

 

Please just let me have this one Tom

 

I’ll give you north Devon

Tom

 

That’s all I need

 

Ilfracombe was banned for the rebuilt locos, I think probably because of the bridge at Barnstaple.

Tom

 

Yes I’m very much aware of that, as I’ve reminded my Dad several times
Ironically I think he saw 34053 for the first time way back in the 1960’s when it worked up to the Midlands on a Footex

 

Yes, but that was 55 years ago, just because something was complete and in reasonable order in 1968 does not mean it will be forever.

I'll bet both 45407 and 44871 have had far more repair/rebuild work carried out to keep them in good order in recent years than the average Barry loco required when first bought from the scrapyard.