6880 Betton Grange

Your definition of "better"?

 

I mean tbh this whole SVR gala is so much more than just one engine. We are all looking forward to 6880 but there’s plenty of other bits to enjoy

 

It’s not Great Western !! I’m also a member. Seriously that’s a bit of banter, the Grange is an impressive job.

 

So far as the SVR is aware things are on track, although clearly it's going to be to the wire, so they're unlikely (and indeed may be contractually unable for all I know) to can their star (well, Grange) turn unless they get told that it's not happening. If they cancel it now and it does turn out to be available they miss the catch and people whinge at them for not having it there (or probably worse, it still turns up and people didn't go to the gala because they thought it wouldn't be, can you imagine the outrage, I can make a few guesses as to who would be amongst the first to complain too). Damned if they do, damned if they don't. Most of the "I can only be bothered to go if the Grange is there" types will be aware that it's far from a certainty that it'll be ready and presumably are grown men who manage to tie their own shoelaces in the morning and so should be able to make their own judgement as to whether it's worth coming or not based on their own personal circumstances, without haranguing the organisers who are inevitably a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

So, is nobody going to see Stanier 2-6-0 13268?

 

I am! Well I’m firing it Thursday AM in our full LMS set!

 

Positive rostering Harry......

 

Slightly different situation I know, but in spring 2012(?) when Bittern came to the SSG, wasn't there some doubt about that being ready until pretty close to the wire? I'm sure some people were attending primarily for that one loco, so it happens and it will always happen I'm sure. I don't think it's especially unreasonable, especially if it's a loco (or in the case of 6880 even a whole class) you've always wanted to see but never have. I'm sure the SVR will put on a great gala with or without it (and I trust the word of those in the know that it's currently on schedule) but it wouldn't be the *same* great gala if say 7714 was substituting.

 

It was indeed 2012. Superb springtime weather I recall.

I was not only there to see the A4 but also to witness the stunning Caledonian Railway 0-6-0 no.828. J72 Joem and the GNR N2 also appeared at the gala. [BJ]

 

My 28th Birthday bash! I must admit that was a rather special event
Going back to @Wyreman ’s thoughts about that weekend ISTR that Jeremy’s A4 would attend, it was more about what it’s identity would be (this was after it had run as 4489.
The only loco that I can think of that was advertised and due to guest at an event without running in was 6024 back in 1996 at the ASG and that didn’t arrive until teatime on the Saturday.

 

Thank you (and to Matt too) for the info. I was at that one myself, and I do remember a *lot* of praise for 828 in particular. Gorgeous engine.

 

Totally agree.

I’m not a serial gala attender, and. I’m very selective as to where I spend my brass.

I will go out of my way to visit a gala if there’s a new loco launched that I have never seen though, (although the Grange is pushing it a bit as it’s very much a GWR pastiche to me) the Atlantic, Patriot, etc would fit the bill.


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Even my mother was smitten with 828! I rather wanted to take 69023 home with me

 

I can only make the Thursday due to other commitments the other days, and 688o running would probably make me go as I can see 4930, 13268, 813, 7812 on the SVR in the future, 3 of those locos are less than 2 years into their tickets. It is a shame the Terrier isn't out as that would make me book now probably, but I understand why.

 

I find the difference between 60532 and 6880 very instructive. Two locos, one newly built and one back from very extensive overhaul. On the one hand, you have a group saying "this loco needs running in, we don't care what enthusiasts think, we'll only put it in traffic when we are ready". And on the other - a loco that has not so much as shaken a piston being promised for a high-intensity gala!

Newly overhauled locos need running-in. I'd suggest a newly constructed one even more so. A loco can look the mutts nuts in a the workshop, but if you have newly erected frames, only running can show everything is nicely aligned. So you need probably 500+ miles of running in with gradually increasing distances and loads until you can say "yes, we are ready for traffic".

Were I the SVR, I'd not touch the loco with a barge pole as far as a gala is concerned. On the other hand, you could say "come to the SVR, we'll give you the facilities to gradually run the loco in, then, when you are ready, we'll have a special Gala Launch Event later this summer." That way you still get the prestige of being the first to run the loco in traffic, but you get two bites at the enthusiast cherry. (You can also reward the project's sponsors with being on the launch train - harder to do at a general gala).

As things stand, I think the likelihood that the loco sits down with some minor, but show-stopping, fault in the middle of a gala is quite high. It would only take one oil delivery pipe blocked by having ten years in the workshop accumulating dust into a hidden gungy mess leading to a hot box ...

Tom

 

I think the Grange is more like 12in/ft kit bashing rather than a new build

 

As valid as many of your points are I would again point out that there is a plan, etc.

Not only that but a number of SVR footplate crew work at TYS with the EMF, they see the progress of 6880, our own engineering team have been/and are going to continue to pay visits to examine progress and the loco, there’s a period of running in booked for the engine, and we’ve got a solid Plan B should we need it.

There have been several engines had “minor faults” at galas that our guys will literally do whatever they can to rectify. I’m just glad our confidence is higher than some on here!

 

It does include a lot of recycled parts which is of course a genuine GWR tradition. Its better than entirely new build therefore.

 

One problem is that if the loco ultimately doesn't make the SVR Gala, then the same questions will be asked about it's appearance at the GWSR the following month and possibly the WSR a few weeks before, but they won't book it until it's a runner according to Steam Railway.

Obviously I'm sure we're all hoping that's not the case and everything goes well running in and at the SVR, which I'm sure will put in a great event.