Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

Great news to hear, I take the exam without any notable hitch? Really hope it'll be more or less complete and in steam by the May's gala. Or dare we hope for it to be running by then?

 

This is great news hopefully ready for May and the gala are there plans for the loco to visit other lines sure it would be a big attraction for galas.

 

I believe it said something along the lines of "occasional visits to other lines" when the contract was mentioned in the latest Cornishman, but can't find it at the moment.

 

The society has signed a 10 year operating agreement with the GWSR which does allow for the odd guest apperance at other railways however with the lack of a mainline connection it would require them to transport both the loco and tender by road which is a costly exercise and I doubt the GWSR would let them do it in the first couple of years.

Tho I am going to throw this out there (admittedly very wishful thinking) 2017 Mid Hants Autumn (seems more poignant then spring) Gala staring CanPac, P&O, Wells, Urie 506, Cheltenham and Swanage. Great way to make the end anniversary of the end of Southern Steam.

 

Dinmore manor's been off all over the place in her first year, however a Merchant Navy would probably be seen as a bigger pull if it just stayed put for a year or two. Love the proposed gala line up, and I could drive myself by then, no need to spend ages "selling" it to Dad!

 

Very true, guess we will have to wait and see. But yesterday was a big milestone for the 35006 soceity and congratulations to the the great team working on bringing this beast back to life.

 

Indeed, it's only taken them 30 years! I'm going to guess we'll first see 35006 on the roster mid-April, fingers crossed.

 

I dont think it will be that early, probably be a case of a few sneaky test runs/shareholders trains before appearing at the gala if they make it on time.

 

Personally Im looking to seeing Taw Valley back be nice to see it and 34053 posed together at Bridgenorth. Or standing on the footbridge at Kiddy and watching as 1 waits on its stock and the takes its train out.

 

Just looked at the timetable, Thursdays are C+W workshop days and no service trains, the Easter holidays are two weeks long, so either would be great for a test run for me. Of course a delegation of C+W volunteers would need to travel to check everything's working fine... I was a bit miffed that I missed 4270's test run as some C+W people piled onto that too last year, some excuse about a steam leak...

 

Will Taw Valley be painted red again

 

Why wouldn't GWSR allow 35006 to visit another railway within the first two years. There's been plenty of locos that have visited other railways within their first year of being back in service. From memory 30925 had visited another railway within weeks of entering service. Allowing newly restored loco's to visit other perserved lines makes for good relationships between perserved lines.

 

That's an NRM loco though so the priorities are a little different. It would make sense to keep it at the GWSR for a little while to persuade people to visit the line. if 35006 went off elsewhere, people might visit it there and not bother coming to the GWSR resulting in lost revenue. Once the novelty has worn off, then it goes out to make its fortune elsewhere.

 

I get the impression with the 35006 soceity that they arent in a rush to send there pride and joy around the country straight away. As everyone knows its sometimes a difficult transition for groups (Espically one loco societies) from a locomotive restoration to locomotive operations. My guy feeling is the guys will want to give it a good running in, iron out any issues and just enjoy it before they even think about sending it elsewhere.

 

Fully agree with you there. Restoring that giant of a steam locomotive is one thing (though nonetheless greatly commendable), running and keeping it in top form is entirely another. It'll take a while to adjust but no doubt they'll manage it in good time.

I'd say as well that it's not at all uncommon to have an arrangement whereby a freshly restored enginefreshly is retained exclusively at their home base for a year or more. The big question at that point though will no doubt be who'll get dibs first? The Swanage Railway perhaps? The NYMR , MHR, SVR...? or perhaps the Isle Of Wight Steam Railway?!

 

I wouldnt be surprised if she pops up at the Great Central first. But thats years away, now we have to patiently for her to return a couple of months is nothing after 30 odd years.

 

Could be right there, I'm sure the team will be keen to see their crack express loco go more than a sedate 25mph! If not I can quite easily see it being MHR, we seem to have a good working relationship with them - I get free rides on the MHR, I assume Simon gets the same on the GWSR?

 

I always thought Red suited it rather well.... Runs for cover

 

Not at gala's we don't!

Rest of the time we do!

As for P&O, I will just echo what has been said, the GWSR & owning group will probably be looking to iron things out & have a period of exclusive running - not uncommon.

 

So do I, wouldn't look good on a spam can but looks rather nice on a rebuild.