Loco 76017

Well the diesel is due to set off from Southall in 16 mins so assume we will have a pretty good idea then.

I assume its light steam again, so if like previously light steam with the safety valve blowing off vigorously.

 

Although no longer a Watercress Line resident, I think it is worth tipping one's hat to the restoration and maintenance staff and volunteers at Ropley. 76017 has successfully completed one substantial journey across Network rail metals without problems, and I believe the Bluebell found her in good nick. This contrasts with some locos that have arrived at Ropley for galas or other loan purposes, only to be found to be in less than perfect condition and/or needing various amounts of remedial work

 

Just crossed over to NR metals.

 

It's on its way. Consist hasn't been entered, so Traksy can't pick it up. (Naughty WCR!)
Pat

 

A case in point being 'Saint Turkey', sitting at Ropley acting as a glorified lamp standard.
Pat

 

Goes to show, just how different some centres idea of in a fit state is, like you, I've seen engines come off low loaders at Alresford, and not been impressed at all, I've seen engines come in off the mainline, and wondered how on earth did that get a ticket, hopefully standards now are a lot higher,

 

Who prepped and is riding on the loco? WCRC crew?

 

Most likely, WCRC, i Can't see it being anyone from its former home, does the Bluebell have any footplate crew that also hold Mainline certification?
The prep and Fitness to run is always carried out by someone from WCRC,

 

Would they need anything beyond PTS if she is in light steam, one would assume that considering the apparent/clarified ownership and the fact that he apparently works for WCR anyway that would be the obvious choice to keep the fire going and boiler suitably wet?

 

You may say that, I couldn't possibly comment.

 

As 76017 vanishes into the WCRC depot at Southall, I hope that it won't be too long before she emerges to begin whatever her new life is to be. As an (armchair) MHR member, I'm naturally sad at the loss of a most useful loco especially given that the line would have been rather tight on motive power even if 76017 was still part of the fleet. However, if we step aside from the politics of the personalities involved in this business, 76017 has been a popular loco while based at Ropley and I very much hope she will have a successful and equally popular career on (presumably) the main line.

 

Hear, hear. Always sad to lose a loco, but these things happen! 76017 has a new life now. I'm already looking forward to 75079 and 499 rolling out of Ropley!

 

Is the Saint not sorted now- I was under the impression she struggled when first brought into traffic but has subsequently been fettled.

Chris

 

True, sad to see the old girl go, and i wish her well, whatever her next chapter is, I hope the necessary lessons have been learnt in future, and that whilst engines can, and do change hands, it's better to be open and transparent about it,

 

Well she is tucked up all safely at Southall now.

 

Be interesting to see if another path gets activated from Southall to Carnforth, if another steam engine is returning up north, and it's a 60-mph path, can 76017 be coupled in behind, in steam, or do both engines have to be fully fitted? for instance, If 44781 is going to be returning to Carnforth, could 76017 under steam, run in the same movement?

 

If 76017 can run on the main line coupled behind a diesel, presumably it can equally run on the main line coupled behind a main-line-registered steam loco.

 

I think we can all tell similar tales and no railway would be exempt from this fact. After paying transport costs to bring locos to the NYMR and finding that they weren't fit for traffic, the NYMR made the decision to examine any such locos before they left home turf. I can remember a certain Piglet going to examine a loco eagerly wanted for a gala and providing a damning report of its condition. The NYMR's GM was wondering how he could diplomatically let the other railway's GM know that it was no longer wanted and why when he received a phone call to say it was no longer available as, due to a loco failure on that line, it couldn't be released.

 

Not in the best of health then?
The rusty, paint peeling external state of the loco when it arrived didn't instil much confidence in the condition of the rest of it.


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IIRC the signalling was updated recently, presumably in advance of the new class 197s, so hopefully no longer an issue?