6229 Return to steam rumour

Read online yesterday that 6229 Duchess of Hamilton might be going in for an overhaul, is there any truth to this rumour?

 

On 6229's Facebook page, apparently a very reliable source had put it elsewhere online but I don't know where. Thought I would try and find out on here

 

Hopefully yes. Would be great to see her back. The original statement that was released has apparently been taken down from wherever it was posted so they might be keeping it under wraps....cant see how as she would not go un noticed if she was moved from the museum. Something is supposed to be happening with her in the very near future according to the comments I read.

 

Maybe you could extract the loco from under the carapace and hope that no-one noticed

Tom

 

"Carapace"?!?! Some of us are very fond of the streamlining on this loco. The correct term is "shroud" (or "bathtub") ;-)

 

With Easter coming late this year...perhaps 1st April comes early?

 

The NRM did say once the streamlining was "restored" they'd consider restoring 6229 to running order, with the caravat of predominantly outside funding/sponsourship of the overhaul. As she now presents such a radical profile to Sutherland and Birmingham. Otherwise in unstreamlined form she looked little different to the current runner Sutherland, they wouldn't really be interested in restoring her to running order..........

 

She would be a revenue earner though surely as by the time an overhaul was completed Sutherland would be out of ticket

 

Love to see her back running as one of only three remaining examples of the best locomotives ever built - imo!

The ultimate would be all three back on the main line, although, if I can be a bit controversial, I would much prefer 6229 unstreamlined and in BR maroon as she was in the 80s and 90s

 

I'd have thought its sheer distinctiveness of appearance would be a big draw even for the non-enthusiast. It's pure retro-futurism.

 

It probably would be, and is, but I just thought that they looked so much better without it

 

Well said mate....definately! Would be a bit of a selling point to leave it in the Bath but was more of a hindrance to the railway staff than really much use below 90mph

 

Didn't mean that as a direct response to you, apologies if it seemed narky.

All a matter of personal taste, innit?

EDIT: in terms of visual appeal anyway. I'd imagine those involved in actually running the thing would have differing views.

 

Not narky at all mate! Ideally, 6229 BR maroon, 6235 green and 6233 BR blue! As far as I know, Stanier wasn't keen on streamlining and it was done for the sake of publicity

 

1, No I don't have a money pit

2, No reason whatsoever to have all three in working order, I simply like LMS Duchesses!

 

I reckon it's a matter of when rather than if Hamilton returns, the question is, Is when now ?.

 

Funnily enough I found a copy of Steam Railway from this time last year, and Tony Streeter puts a decent case forward for an overhaul. The things it has in it's favour are it's something that only the NRM could do ie a streamlined 'Big Lizzie' and matching stock, it's not on the 'too fragile to steam' list, it's not an unknown quantity as regards what work's required to return it to traffic (it had an assessment when VSOE had plans to restreamline it in the late '90s) and then there's the small matter of it having some funds towards it care of the 229 club contributors. In my own humble opinion I'd have to say it's got a lot going for it IF a return to steam was on the cards.