35018 British India Line

To add my two penneth to Fred's comments, many Moons ago I called into David Smiths coal yard in Wakefield, with the off chance of seeing the rebuild progress on 48151, upon speaking to a chap and introducing myself (as an active KWVR volunteer) and making my intensions known, he smiled and said 'I'm David, c'mon I'll show you, I spent a pleasant hour inspecting their workmanship and chatting, I've had a very high opinion of him since.
Regarding Preserved railways allowing Worksop tours, this cannot realisticly be compared with the logistical nightmare of organising an open day/weekend around a working Locoshed which is a Business after all, which of course David Smith did, in recent memory at, I would imagine not an inconsiderable cost risk.

 

Or the completely different financial bases of the two organisations where one appears to be a well funded 'hobby' and the other a 'business', there is somewhat more money in financial services than selling coal and farming - plus LSL are a modern organisation that has embraced media interaction since day 1 whilst WCRC had no real need until recently and are obviously playing catch up. Its worth noticing the engagement on diesel matters on WNXX which is as good as anything LSL are doing.

Preserved railways don't tend to have large rakes of coaching stock on the move regularly, also when one considers the physical layout of Carnforth the access is dreadful and the sheds cannot really be accessed without crossing loads of operational track work, it was obvious from the RM open day in 2008 that the process had been a logistical nightmare with loads of areas having to be cordoned off, the number of people who were ignoring the cordons probably didn't help the chances for future openings?

 

There are plenty of heritage railway sites to visit in the UK and I don't see it a major loss to lose Steamtown particularly as without WC maintenance facility the mainline steam scene would be a lot poorer.

 

Perhaps they should; copy the other West Coast?

 

Would not disagree and clearly the two uses differ so much as to be incompatible.
I still think it is of regret that the new use meant tglhe demise of the open access, multi group operational depot cum museum but maybe it is just a nostalgic thing. In an ideal world both would exist separately, perhaps if Mr Smith had found a different place suited to his purposes at the time.

 

Financial resources certainly plays some part but there has clearly been a difference in mindset which is not attributable solely to wealth. One may have a greater multiple of millions than the other but both are adequately funded, both are in business first and foremost. It is the difference in approach that is striking with one very much a privately run operation and the other keen to publicise its plans and progress. As Fred pointed out the WC chairman does not welcome external scrutiny or advice on business matters.
Each to their own and judged on success.
The LSL model, whilst aiming to be largely self sufficient, seems to recognise the need to keep other parts of the industry 'ecosystem' supported.
It is interesting that a key aspect of the VT plan is for open access. This perhaps recognises sustainability relies on attracting new blood of the right calibre and investing in it. That cannot be done with an insular attitude.

 

Have they? I have a vague recollection that they can go northbound, but will not fit south between Carlisle and Sellafield, hence why we often see Galatea twice in one day down here as she goes round to meet the train, also seeing a diesel heading back light o Carnforth c.5 mins before the main event.

 

My experience was very similar to yours in that I first met him at his coal yard in Wakefield, which was opposite Manor Colliery. I was looking over the wall at his 8F and he came over and engaged in a friendly conversation, which ended up in a guided tour of the things he had stored in his garage. Subsequently, he was very helpful in other matters and was always very friendly and would come and say hello if he saw me. It was a long time ago, though, probably a good 30 years, or more.

 

Spoilt only by the green-backed name-plates. Black would have looked rather better.

 

Sorry to be a spoilsport but ......... moving back on topic ......
Has anyone photographed 35018 moving in the last few days or have more recent news on it's possible main line appearance?

 

The only locos in steam at Carnforth lately have been 46115 and the two fives with no sign of 35018 .

 

I don't think anyone has photographed 35018 moving full stop, I have not seen anything bar the photographs a few months back of her in an advanced state of completion?

 

Whats the old saying, it will be ready when its ready, the first most of us on here will know is when it appears at Carnforth station to run its light engine test

 

You left out the in disguise as another member of the class bit.

 

sorry in plywood airsmoothed casing painted in wartime black as C1 Channel Packet.

 

21C1 old chap. C1 was the first Q1.

 

You would need to get rid of the Walschaerts valve gear, change the cylinder covers, cab and tender sides for that to look right