80078

How is 80078's doing? It looks so near in the above pictures I guess it must be all but complete 5 months!

 

Any idea which railway 80078 will be moving to once running in at Mangapps is complete? Or is it staying at Mangapps?

 

From in service 2017 thread : -

 

Spent an enjoyable evening yesterday, riding on the footplate of 80078. Only a very short ride, not much more than the length of the loco, but notable in that it's the first time that it has moved under its own power since returning to Essex. (Also the first time I'd ridden on the footplate of a Std.4 since 1959!)

The engine is due for its in-steam test tomorrow and assuming that this is successful, it will then move to Mangapps. Logistical issues mean that the move will not take place before Easter, but severe restrictions on the movement of the loco at Stewart's workshop (lack of track and frightening the horses) mean the he is keen to start running-in a.s.a.p. We have provisionally booked the Late-Spring Bank Holiday for its first "proper" running weekend.

 

Great news. Glad to here it's on the home stretch. Is the loco staying at Mangapps or is it just being run in there and then moving on. I have never been across to the site and it would be interesting to visit while its there. Cheers

 

Basically, it's being run-in at Mangapps, but given the amount of work that's been done on the loco, the running-in period could last some time.

The intention is that it should visit other railways- it's too big for regular, long-term use at Mangapps- but no firm decision has yet been taken as to where else it will go, or when. If you are intending to visit specifically to see 80078 in steam, Late Spring B.H. is probably the best bet. Otherwise, give us a phone call on 01621 784898

 

I can now report that 80078 has arrived at Mangapps. We finished unloading it at dusk this evening and will be steaming it tomorrow for crew training purposes. All being well it's first public, passenger-carrying outing will be on Bank Holiday Monday. I hope to give a report, with some pics, tomorrow evening.

 

The best looking tank engine ever built- probably.

80078 had a full day in passenger service on B/H Monday and worked without any problems. You could barely hear the sound of the loco when drawing into the station, for the oohs and aahs of spectators impressed by the standard of restoration, a great credit to its owner, Stewart and all involved.

She will be operating at Mangapps on Sunday, June 11th, a special event celebrating her onetime home line, the LT&SR. The programme for the day includes demo freights and more, after which she will be leaving to take part in the MHR Gala. Details of the Mangapps event are on www.mangapps.co. uk

 

Shouldn't the destination board be spelled "Saaahfend"?

 

I expect that's how the original passengers pronounced it- it's an old LT&S board and the destination on the other side is "Kentish Town" (or Tahn ).

 

Flaman, you should have a PM.....

 

Do I detect a proposal for it to go to Devon?

 

Any chance of it visiting the North Norfolk?

 

couldnt possibly comment. Merely wanted to make a personal compliment on such a good restoration........

 

One of them certainly.

Good to see another sensible sort of locomotive back in use..

PH

 

It's already been suggested, along with quite a few others.

 

Let's face it, if one was after hiring it, it's probably too late now! There will be railways queueing up for it, some in need, others because they like to get their hands on the latest toys from the box. I would imagine it's next few months, if not years, are booked up.

 

Std 4 Tanks seem to be like Spitfires. Quite a few about, but whenever a newly restored one appears there is no shortage of bookings.

 

It's not surprising. They're capable of doing anything required of them on any heritage railway, from the largest to short lines with tight curves and steep gradients like Mangapps, and are capable of doing good work on the mainline. They are also famously economical- we've found that coal consumption is similar to smaller industrial 0-6-0s that we've used in the past.

I find it surprising that of the fifteen that exist, according to Wikipedia (health warning!) only five are currently operational, five are under repair/overhaul and five are out of use, one of them a museum exhibit and two still in ex Barry condition. Seems odd to me, especially given all the talk about building new "ideal heritage line engines" for the future. Several already exist, idle and in a couple of cases apparently rotting away.