Bodmin and Wenford + other Cornish lines

Thanks for drawing attention to an excellent newsletter and interesting society and apparent confirmation of the sad news that the 2-8-0 tank is moving away from the B&WR. I only hope it going
somewhere comparably appropriate and attractive. I always associate these locos with coal/mineral workings in Cornwall and south Wales

 

Latest update from the website;

You also asked about the fate of loco 4247. Its moving to the East Somerset Railway at the end of this week and is scheduled for a major overhaul there later this year. It will not be returning to Bodmin.


-looks like the ESR workshop will be kept busy. It was a popular loco at Bodmin due to its ability to make light work of five coach trains on their banks. No more five coach trains?

 

IIRC 4247 was largely restored by a group in Oxfordshire (Cholsey & Wallingford-associated?). I wonder if it is destined to return to there - although an ESR restoration suggests an alternative in the form of the Torbay and Dartmouth as this class of loco seems well suited to their needs.

 

Possibly, although with the recent purchase of 4110 Dartmouth probably have enough for their needs.

More likely just the owners joining the IOWSR and DSR in taking advantage of tbe facilities and expertise at Cranmore.

It might even end in running at the ESR for a while as partial payment for the work, similar to the arrangement with 4110.

 

It'll be great to have 4247 back in traffic and from the previous restorations that ESR have completed, it'll be in good hands. Something that hasn't been considered yet, as I believe 46447 is coming towards the end of its ticket could it be that it'll stay at ESR when completed?

 

Thanks, didn't realise that. It does seem as though the ESR are astute in these cases. So I'm sure running and a few dates in at the very least will be carried out on the ESR (as per 5239).

 

Yes true, but by the time 4247 is completed 4110 will only have a year or so left at the ESR. So they will be needing another loco very shortly.

But then that gap may be filled by 46447 if it gets overhauled again at Cranmore. I don’t see it returning to the IOW.

 

4247 to arrive at Cranmore shortly!
We are very excited to announce that our next overhaul project through our workshops will be arriving in the next few days! GWR 2-8-0T 4247 is currently on the back of a lorry having departed from Bodmin. The loco is to be overhauled by the ESR as a contract job following an agreement between the owners, 4247 Ltd, and the Dartmouth Steam Railway which will see the loco on hire to the DSR for a 20 year period.
Work on 4247 will not start until the current project 4110 is completed later this year. In the meantime, visitors to the ESR will be able to see the loco up close, in or around the engine shed at Cranmore.

 

So, there will be three of these fine locos on the DSR before very long. Where is 5224 these days?

 

Peak Rail

 

Makes you wonder why Torbay need the 45 still.

 

Thanks for info - 5224 seems to be under repair there.

 

I think their plan is to mostly hire it out so it can be recalled at short notice if needed in a loco crisis

 

Certainly something is going on and I'm not sure what to make of it. BWR hired out 4612 and 6435, which is fair given they felt the didn't need them immediately but then had to bring in the Ivatt tank. They've also sold off a few items of rolling stock in various states of availability. And now 4247 is leaving for overhaul to go to the DSR. Like you say, a sea change is happening, hopefully its all for something positive.

 

On its own, no. The way the information was dripped out wasn't exactly confidence raising but thats a very superficial reading of the matter. But like I said, lightly over-hiring out locomotives, selling the 33 and the sale of a complete RMB makes a possible 2+2=5. It could entirely be possible that the railway has identified excess stock especially with the RMB but my worry is its a wholesale car boot sale of the railways assets.