Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

no, you just need 2, Thomas and his evil twin, whaaaaahaaa come here children, Thomas wants to play,

 

There was a photo posted on Facebook of 51 stationary in mid section between Ropley and Alresford. It stated "On the move from Ropley to Alresford this proved to be an opportunity too good to miss." As it looks like a light loco I would presume it was staged for the invited press.

Must say that with the frosty ground, bright sunlight and the outer home signal in the photo the loco looks absolutely stunning. Whether or not this photo should have been released, all those responsibile for Winnies transformation should be rightly proud.

 

Taken by the crew bringing 34051 down from Ropley on Tuesday morning....they detached the diesel to take the photo - I think it was Richard Bentley (MHR Ops Manager) himself who took the photo, at least he showed it to me on his 'phone on Tuesday morning, so all OK!

 

It is credited to Matt Bentley and yes. A stunning shot.

 

I presume it is this one from an earlier post : -

 

If I'd been part of the team that had done such a fantastic job I'd want to show it off to the world and his wife... An absolute cracker

 

Re "Taw Valley": The owner reports that as well as the hydraulic test, the loco has been steamed to full pressure. Work is now ongoing to
ensure the boiler unit sits correctly on the loco frames. An insurance steam test, which presumably starts the "ticket" running, will not be undertaken until the loco assembly is much nearer completion.

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Had a private viewing of 34051 complete with discs in the NRM paintshop yesterday. An absolute stunner and a credit to all involved. It also now has a 70A shedplate attached, which after squinting at several contemporary photographs of the locomotive appears correct, contrary to my previous statement of 70E (Salisbury). As a result of this, I have learned something about how often shedplates were changed.

 

Great news From what I have heard Taw Valley is the best rebuilt Bulleid light pacific so really looking forward to seeing her in action.

 

I don't know about "the best", but Taw Valley is going through an extensive rebuild, including an almost completely new firebox, however I suspect other current overhauls are just as extensive, "Hartland" for instance on the NYMR.
As an aside, the owner of Taw Valley has recently sold on his mainline support coach, so I suspect ( and this is only my supposition) that the loco is not heading for NR use any time soon, and will in effect be an SVR fleet loco. I stress though that is only my inference from the sale of the support coach.

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Not just a new firebox (Both inner and outer) but a new smoke box and two new barrel sections. She will steam on a candle. Knowing one of the previous shareholders (my godfather) TV is/ was regarded as one of the better Bulleids. She would regularly cruise on 15% whereas others would be choked above 25%.
IIRC and this is vague memory. The cost of the overhaul and then all the gubbins to go mainline was over the top. And the risk involved, especially after he has replaced the drivers side cylinder after her incident. There is nothing to stop her going away to other railways anyway.

 

I was just reading the GWSR steam loco blog and it gave a brief mention of the festival of steam in May. Looks like an interesting gala!

http://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/but-not-too-welcoming.html

 

Beat me to it! The cornishman signifies a castle, as that's what always pulled it IIRC, and Atlantic coast express could easily just be 35006 or Wells as discussed earlier. Thinking about the theme which tends to be imaginative, something to do with coastal expresses/seaside trains maybe?

 

Could well be. Any case its going to be a very different gala to some of the previous festival of steams like last years 'Back to Black'. I've been told that P & O is having its boiler inspected some time in February and the aim is that it will be fully operational so I'd imagine the Atlantic coast express is to do with that. Could potentially Wells as well- or definitely something else Southern.

 

A link to the BBC Look North at the NRM today, 30 January 2015.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31060364

A magnificent tribute.

 

Thanks for the link, a lovely little video

 

The music in the background is a lovely touch. Not the first time I've heard that exact composition of the famous tune used around Churchill's funeral


I hope 34051 will get to stay in the Great Hall for a bit now. It'd be a shame to hide it away again like before

 

And a moment of fame for young Mr. Coulls.