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30120

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by martin1656, Oct 11, 2017.

  1. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Can anyone shed any light on what the situation with this loco actually is?
    I read on the Swanage postings that the loan deal with the B&W has been terminated,
    and the loco has been loaned to the Swanage Railway till the end of the year

    Several things give me cause for alarm,
    1 the report says, the NRM is keen to see the engine RETURNED to operational Condition
    So has it failed, and what is the nature of the failure

    The Swanage railway already has a problem with locos needing overhaul and raising the funding for it, it, has the second U, and very soon 31806 will be out of ticket 30055 needs an overhaul , then theres the T3, to wrorry bout,
    If the T9 is to move homes, i would hope it goes to either the Bluebell, or Mid hants, nothing against Swanage but it cant properly look after its own 4-4-0 at the moment because it has nowhere undercover and another engine that will need funds to be raised may be to big an ask
    The engine was formerly on loan to the Urie Group, and i am thinking this may be an option, if it were to be gifted to them, rather than to The MHR, as they as former operators, might be better placed to raise the funds to overhaul it.
     
  2. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    I think 30055 needs a bit more than an overhaul! It was scrapped over 50 years ago :)

    The Bluebell has neither the covered accommodation nor a slot in its workshop programme to undertake the necessary repairs on 30120 and the Mid Hants is currently working on 75079, 35005, 34105, 828, 399 and 30506 while probably beginning work on 850 soon, so not much hope there either. I think that, as is often the case with news like this, we are only being told part of the story. My guess is that some discussions (which are rightly being kept confidential at this stage) are taking place between the Swanage Railway and the NRM with a view to repairing the T9 under Swanage's auspices. Happy to be proved wrong by more knowledgeable people, but this was how I read the two articles in consecutive issues of Steam Railway.
     
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  3. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    The T9 is ideal for the length of the Swanage Railways service trains and gradients.
     
  4. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    399 was scrapped a while ago too :) (An S11 4-4-0, scrapped Eastleigh Works 1952)
     
  5. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    Time for a bit of humble pie from me here!
     
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  6. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    I don't think it's true to say that Swanage has no undercover accomodation, when last I visited 31625 was in the shed at the former oil terminal and there's oceans of room there to extend that facility or build another,. OK so it's basic but it's secure and under a roof . I was thinking 563 would be in that shed for the winter.It doesn't look asif there's room for two locos so 30120 is another to be concerned about. I don't think a shed is that big a deal anyway, most railway's locos spend all thier time in the open.
     
  7. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    The latest Steam Railway reports that Barrow Hill are offering free undercover accommodation for 563. The offer being for around two years, accommodation free but transport costs would need to be met. No idea if Swanage are interested in taking up the offer mind but that would leave space for the T9.
     
  8. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    the T3 and the T9 on show together would be quite attractive
     
  9. William Fletcher

    William Fletcher Member

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    Gosh it's all conspiracy theories isnt it? Just lety the groups get on with it all cant you?
     
  10. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    499 & 506 are under restoration by the Urie S15 group
    828 is being overhauled by Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society.
    All 3 loco will have their boiler work completed by Mid Hants boiler shop, when there is space. Both societies have done all the stripping of their boilers.

    Cheers, Neil
     
  11. stephenvane

    stephenvane Member

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    I don't think there's anything to be alarmed about Martin.

    30120 has failed I believe with a leaking cylinder block. It will remain at Swanage to access whether/how this could be repaired, and if the NRM are happy to proceed with the repairs. If it can be repaired, then perhaps it will see out the last two years of its boiler certificate, or perhaps it will make sense to do a full overhaul instead. Once properly accessed then I'm sure an announcement will be made of the future use/home of the loco. Until then we'll just have to keep guessing.

    I'd say there is zero chance of it going to the Bluebell or Mid Hants. They both have enough on their plate already, and a shortage of space. The Mid Hants decided to end their previous loan period of the loco, as it was entirely unsuitable for the line. When the Bluebell had it, they considered returning it to steam, but they had too many other locos taking priority.

    Personally I think Swanage is the best home for it. Entirely suitable and approximate for the line. No undercover accommodation at the moment, but plans are being formulated for this. Ok they may have a few locos out of use awaiting overhaul, but what line doesn't? There are far more locos in the overhaul queues at the Bluebell and Mid Hants, so your argument doesn't make sense.

    All we can do is watch this space, and be assured that the NRM will do whatever is in the best interests of 30120.
     
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  12. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Wasn't the Cylinder block repaired at its last overhaul by nickel key stitching my understanding is that the block and drag box are both life expired and will need need replacement We knew it was getting weak when it was based at Ropley, and that had it stayed, a new casting would be needed, and at the time it would have not been possible under the rules then that concerned loan engines from the NRM , i think that was why it was given up, not because it was unsuitable, plus there was politics at work, a large engine policy that saw smaller engines sidelined.
    Im hoping that 120 is repaired, but do wrorry for its future,
     
  13. stephenvane

    stephenvane Member

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    Yes cylinder block was repaired at last overhaul, but it seems repair has failed.

    Makes you wonder what will happen with 30587 too, if the NRM are not happy with Bodmin.
     
  14. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Where does it say that?
     
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  15. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I expect that this thread will be heavily plagiarized for a story in the next SR, as the basis of a story about how much enthusiasts are concerned about the activities of the NRM and the relationship between the NRM and Swanage, so make sure your posts are good ones.... :rolleyes:
     
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  16. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Hence the need to establish fact from ... ?
     
  17. stephenvane

    stephenvane Member

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    The fact that they have taken the T9 away from them implies that doesn't it?

    And I did say if.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2017
  18. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    I don't agree. It may have left by mutual agreement or even at Bodmins request.
     
  19. stephenvane

    stephenvane Member

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    You obviously haven't read the Steam Railway article.
     
  20. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    With the tone of SR's (or at least one of its contributors) reporting about the NRM at the moment, if they stated that the NRM was based in York I would be inclined to seek confirmation of that from an alternative source.... :rolleyes:
     

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