Replica builds for heritage lines.

It's a case of first world war austerity. The first Rivers came out at an unfortunate period livery-wise. If you want to see how stunning the SE&CR pre-WW1 livery looked, the Bluebell's branch line gala next month is the place to be. Pity that it had been superseded before the Rivers (or the D1s and E1s for that matter) appeared. Still, all these classes had a spell in Maunsell's Southern olive green livery which, as you say, suited the Rivers with their large side tanks.

I don't see 31806 ever being back-converted, although ultimately, that's a decision for John Bunch. You do have a point - mention Rivers and "Sevenoaks" will usually be the first things that comes into people's minds.

It was August 1927.

 

Not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of back converting a U Boat, They are not numerical in pres like a Light Pacific or Hall where losing one woulden't be noticed.

 

St. John Thomas and Whitehouse - and others - have argued persuasively that the problem was not with the design of the engine but with the state of the track, and that for obvious reasons it was easier to blame and rebuild a small number of locomotives than to admit that the Southern's permanent way was inadequate.

 

Thinking about it......................

1. How many locos are needed to operate our preserved lines
2. How many operational/operated in preservation main line locos are there (Excluding locos unlikely to run again eg Hardwicke/Midland Compound etc)
3. How many locos are still in 'ex Barry' condition
4. What obstacles are there to restoring the 'Ex Barry'/currently non operational locos - excluding for a moment lack of money

 

Surely with money there is nothing that can't be overcome? Every component can be replaced when the time comes or the items are missing if it's a Barry job.

Look i have no problems with new builds, and i most certainly will look forward to seeing new locos enter the scene, hopefully each with their own USP that pulls people in. I'm just don't buy the whole batch build talk that goes on.

 

Answers
1. More than are currently in reliable operable condition viewed nationally
2. If you mean ex mainline locos suitable for heritage rly use - plenty
3. Not that many now and as the ones that have lingered change ownership the numbers seem to further reduce
4. People to lead projects, workshop resources and probably most of all the shortage of skilled folk who are prepared to work on steam at the rates of pay and conditions on offer. Those issues are becoming predominant.

 

I would like to see one of this lovely tank engines :
https://photos.smugmug.com/SRSteam/19121923-LBSCR-LBBilinton-/LBSCR-L-Class-Brighton-Baltics-1/i-ZvQhtL7/0/fabec495/XL/333 Remembrance L.B. Billinton LBSCR L class 4-6-4T-XL.jpg

Kind regards

Knut

 

Wern't they rebuilt as 4-6-0 tender locos?

 

N15X?

 

Yes, essentially because after mainline electrification to Brighton, the work dried up but they were still comparatively new (about ten years old). Maunsell, in his typical economical style, rebuilt them as tender engines and they were transferred to the Western section with big double-bogie tenders - nominally a King Arthur equivalent, though not really as good in practical terms.

Unlike a lot of rebuilds (such as the various Drummond 4-6-0s) these really warranted the term: apart from removing the tanks, pretty well everything from the cab forwards remained unchanged.

As for a new build: ignoring any consideration of usefulness (please - let’s not go there) it is essentially ruled out by virtue of the fact that seemingly almost no drawings exist.

Tom

 

Phew! Thank goodness.

PH

 

No problem. Just scale up the model at the NRM...

 

I wonder if that is Bert Perryman's model? He built a 5" gauge "Remembrance", finished in that (inauthentic) livery, starting in about 1955 and finished about twenty years later. Interestingly, the main frames were provided, cut to length, by the then works foreman of Brighton Works.

On the question of drawings: Perryman recounted that he was given access to around 50 drawings of the L class to help him construct his model when he started out. 60-odd years later, Fred Bailey wrote of the L class in Atlantic News - as part of a general survey of the feasibility of building wide range of Brighton locos - "with the exception of a crank axle, it has all the features to avoid [...] with very few original drawings applicable to its construction". So somewhere along the way there must have been a clear out, presumably when Brighton Works closed. Ignoring the difficulties placed on later locomotive builders, such destruction was a gross act of cultural vandalism.

Tom

 

In the air and heading towards said bunker " 'tis an N15 with a bunker, rear bogie and some side-tanks, simples".
But............................................................................................WIBN

 

I know I'm going to regret asking this question, but...

What would be so terrible about such an interesting and unique loco being resurrected?

 

Yes ,if `m right they were rebuilt as Maunsell Class N15x tender-engines.

Wow! It`looks stunning in that brown livery! Was it delivered in that color maybe?

 

I could ask the same question too .

 

Yes, you are going to regret it!
Basically, it would be a classic over sentimental W.I.B.N. project. Far too large for 90% of tourist railway work apart from being too high in the wheel. Not up to hauling a paying load on the main line a la Tornado or Clan Line.

PH

 

If its too big to put on the IoW ferry it fails the PH sensible size criteria

 

An 80 ton locomotive can be accommodated on the ferry. A sensible size would be a lot less than that. Hauling 14 vehicles over Network Rail and keeping out of the way of other services demands something rather larger. A power class 8 2-8-2 perhaps?

PH