If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

More Hall action on main line in the future?

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by mike1522, Sep 2, 2015.

  1. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,992
    Likes Received:
    232
    Location:
    Fort Worth, Texas
    With 4965's spectacular Welsh Marches tour on Saturday and today's notice of 4936 being on the CE's to Kingswear are we going to be seeing more GWR halls on the mainline in the future? A welcome development if that is true.
     
  2. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,849
    Likes Received:
    2,361
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Researcher/writer and composer of classical music
    Location:
    Between LBSCR 221 and LBSCR 227
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    There was a thread about Halls https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/halls-unloved-unsung.183390/ a while back (which I started) asking why they did not seem as popular as other classes. Quite a few people said that they just didn't find them very appealing engines. I have to say that anyone who has enjoyed a run behind 4965 probably won't feel that way. You have to accept that 4965 isn't 5043 or 6024 and adjust your expectations accordingly - no dashing along at 75mph (or a bit more!), but at the end of the day, 4965 is a reliable loco that does what is asked of it and will give you a fine run time after time within the limitations of its 60mph maximum. If 4936 will perform to the same standards as its classmate, I do not think the passengers on the two Kingswear trips are going to be disappointed.
     
  3. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2006
    Messages:
    5,294
    Likes Received:
    3,596
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Route availability must be a factor. Clearances tend to become reduced as track is renewed and Halls are already tight across much of the network, so it's quite possible that the options open to them, even in former GWR territory, are much more restricted nowadays.
     
  4. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    5972 was unloved by the crews at 10A by all accounts.
     
  5. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,849
    Likes Received:
    2,361
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Researcher/writer and composer of classical music
    Location:
    Between LBSCR 221 and LBSCR 227
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    That is, of course, another factor. VT has had plenty of experience in knowing which routes 4965 can take, but, as you point out, track or platform renewals can spoil a previously Hall-friendly route. Also, VT tends to stick to a number of routes easily accessible from the West Midlands. Hopefully Westbury-Kingswear won't cause 4936 any problems, but a lot of route checking may well be required if 4936 finds itself boldly going where no Hall has gone before - at least, not for a few years.
     
  6. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    2,653
    Likes Received:
    1,050
    Location:
    Kidderminster/ York
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    LMS preference?
     
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,064
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That will be part of it. Had it been based at Tyseley then I suspect it would have been an entirely different story.
     
  8. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    That's undoubtedly true. LMS bias or not, 5972 wasn't perhaps a good example of its class. Had Dr Bob and co worked their magic the story would have been different.
     
  9. Gav106

    Gav106 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2010
    Messages:
    1,741
    Likes Received:
    2,017
    Location:
    Nantwich, Cheshire
    If there is indeed more work for Halls on the mainline this is only a good thing for 6880 and its mainline charters. Great to hear that Kinlet is doing some mainline trips! Just seen that she is going to KWVR via the mainline, any chance of a railtour while she is up here?
     
    26D_M likes this.
  10. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    Hope Kinlet does get to KWVR. They intended bringing 5029 in by rail last year I think only for some last minute hitch with gauging to scupper it.
     
  11. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,992
    Likes Received:
    232
    Location:
    Fort Worth, Texas
    It would be great if a modified hall could get involved. I really hope these trips go off without a hitch. What has 4636's mainline record been prior to her last overhaul?
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2015
  12. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2006
    Messages:
    6,122
    Likes Received:
    1,655
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Railway Technician
    Location:
    8C / 5D / 27C / 71B
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Not really. 6880 is smaller wheeled - same size as a 78xx. The fact Erlestoke boys have decided the effort is worth it with 7802 gives the hint at how gauge friendly they are.
     
  13. James111983

    James111983 New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2013
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    30
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    BBRail Project Engineer
    Location:
    Bourne End / Chingford
    I don't think Kinlet has failed when on the mainline since overall.....I've had a few runs behind her in the past and on the MHR, most recent, paired with Rood Aston to Newport and back, lively run it was to.
     
  14. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,326
    Likes Received:
    11,664
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    There was a whisper 6990 may go mainline sometime ago
     
  15. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,992
    Likes Received:
    232
    Location:
    Fort Worth, Texas
    6960?

    That would be a dream for me. The Overhaul of 6960 wasn't completed but a few years ago. If Icons put their mind to it I think that it should happen.
     
  16. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,326
    Likes Received:
    11,664
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    No 6990 Witherslack Hall based at GCR.
     
    mike1522 likes this.
  17. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,992
    Likes Received:
    232
    Location:
    Fort Worth, Texas
    Whoopie!
     
  18. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,326
    Likes Received:
    11,664
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It was only a brief mention in Steam Railway mag so I wouldn't get too excited just yet.
     
  19. brit70000

    brit70000 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2007
    Messages:
    274
    Likes Received:
    30

    There's absolutely no way that either 6990 (owned by the David Clarke Railway Trust and overhauled for use on the GCR is going to be released by the GCR for use on the main line. They have already lost too many locos that way in the past and would hardly shoot themselves in the foot by letting 6990 go as well.

    Regarding 6960: Icons of Steam have enough class 7 / 8 locos in the overhaul programme already without diverting their efforts onto a class 5 loco with all their limitations, not least route availability as already mentioned above, for this particular class 5 loco.
     
    26D_M likes this.
  20. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,326
    Likes Received:
    11,664
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Fair enough you obviously know a bit more than me but all I've said is there was whisper it MAY go out on the Mainline I didnt say it's 100% fact that it WILL happen.
     

Share This Page