Welshpool gala 5, 6 September- Statfold mallet visiting

Oh dear! Such ideas. It is a long time since I was a volunteer on the W&L and words don't often fail me either but they do now (almost). The apotheosis of "wouldn't it be nice" sentiments uttered by those who are not burdened with responsibility.

PH

 

Oh dear, PH liked my post....
Should I be worried?

 

No, it's a sign of hope!

Paul H

 

I wasn't complaining about it, just making comment from a financial view. I organise and run events on a preserved line with the usual view of if it doesn't pay, it doesn't happen!

I'm involved in a standard gauge line, so to hire a tank engine in for an event would cost in the region of £1500 - £3000 transport, steaming fees in the region of £350 per day, coal for the loco - say a ton a day at £200 ish. I know the WLLR is a bit smaller, so these figures wouldn't be anywhere near, but could you justify those costs if it isn't going to earn a bean to cover them?

 

Well there is (allegedly of course!) a pretty chunky 0-6-4t amongst the indian contingent, and of course Conqueror from Bowaters amongst the collection in question which might fit the bill!
However having walked past the (equally alleged) home of these candidates a few weeks ago there was no sign of any shiny new completed 2' 6" restorations looking for a place to run.
I'd love to be proved wrong but I think you will have to wait for pigs to start flying first........

 

Hi

Just to clarify,we're not charging a hire fee.

Henry Noon

SBR

 

'This machine appears, from its pictures to be rather small and not likely to be able to haul much of a load '
I take it that you have not seen the engine in action then?
Maybe I should have put ' looks can be deceptive', after all, 8 coupled wheels, 4 cylinders, all weight to the coupled wheels and a boiler that 'steams like a witch' even with an inexperienced fireman (me).
Its not going to be too shabby.

Anyway its all academic as it has no vac so will be doing demo goods.

 

Who said anything about "shabbiness"? No doubt it will do decently enough at freight train speeds. Apart from the Henschel which came from Bredgar I think every visiting locomotive on the W&LLR has had problems either with steaming or bearings heating when put to passenger duty on this very demanding route.

PH

 

A narrower Gauge does not make much difference on the costs of transport, it is still a large tractor unit and a specialist trailer gobbling diesel as it moves around the country. Almost every 2ft gauge move I have received quotes for has fitted into that price bracket.

There is only one narrow gauge railway which has charged a steaming fee (in my limited experience.)

 

Well it can't do much worse than the last Mallet to visit Wales so maybe keeping things low key is a good idea.

Tim

 

Which one was that?- I take it not the one mentioned here then and therefore a 2ft flavour one- what was so poor about its performance?


Chris

 

That Henschel is allegedly for sale in working order...

 

Made as late as 1956 and allegedly little used it would be a good acquisition for somebody but just not big enough for a paying load up the Golfa.

PH

 

Competitively priced too

 

Sounds like someone needs to start a new 2'6'' railway, somewhere flat (no Golfas) with lots of tourists.
Cambridge?
The Statfold locos would have somewhere to play, Siam could get some use, perhaps Chevallier too, visitors from WLLR and SKLR....
Even some of those locos from that collection which doesn't exist!

 

Is the La Meuse 0.4.0 tank at statfold also for sale? This visited Llanfair in the early 90's and from memory just worked freights. I did manage a ride in the brake van behind it though!

 

Anyone want to start a Facebook page for a L&MVR revival??

 

Or how about the railway we are not allowed to mention?

 

Now you have intrigued me...

 

escargot by the sea... ?