6023

Then, what is most likely ticket, new or extended and if extended how long would it be issued for? I am guessing a recent inspection results would yield an answer or do owners hold this information close to the vest?

 

I read in last month's steam Beano today the ticket goes out until 2020 I think, so make of that what you will.

 

Didn't she have to have quite serious boiler work fairly shortly after completion, due to which there was something of a falling out (re which I don't intend to stir the pot here), possibly the 'ticket' restarted after this.

Poor old girl hasn't been the luckiest, and with wcrc drawing back in the South who is going to operate her long term, VT?

 

I know someone involved with it. I understand the front bogie will be removed to deal with a hot box that was found on its run to Old Oak Common and then it will go to the SVR by rail for some load testing

 

SVR.....can she get a full & thorough workout on that line?

 

Yes! Plus Kidderminster Bewdley is passed for 60mph running. 46100 did something similer in 2015.

 

Good news! Let's keep our fingers crossed she passes with flying colors. Many beautiful British steam locomotives (you guys are so lucky) but 6023 is the one I want to see strutting her stuff!

 

Before considering taking her on for mainline work, any operator would need to establish clearly with Network Rail which routes could be available in its present form. The last thing we need is a series of tours cancelled at the last minute due to gauging issues.

 

I am told the intention will be to use it on the Shakespeare Expresses which probably makes sense, short trips Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon and other Steam engines to take its place if any issues need fixing.

 

I don't think Vintage Trains have got a TOC up and running yet, I think it is a future aspiration for them. The info comes from a 2 minute conservation I had in the mess room with someone I know is involved with working on it, he was also the fireman on its recent trip to London. Of course like everything it could change.

 

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a TOC and what does it have to do with 6023? I live too far away from the steam capital of the world

 

Train Operating Company, the ones that will actually run it on the national network. Vintage Trains have used West Coast Railways but are looking to become a TOC in their own right and bring the work in house.

 

Basically since the breakup of British rail and Privatisation, companies that operate trains are Train Operating Companies so they can say they want to operate a train from A to B using their own staff, trains etc. For steam locos for a long time there has only been two companies DB (Deutsches Bundesbahn) and West Coast Rail that deal with steam so anybody wanting to operate steam on the national network has to go through them and they supply the crews + operate the train etc. West Coast also owns a number of Steam locomotives themselves such as Galatea, Scots Guardsman, British India Line etc ( plus a lot of diesels too) but they also run other locos/trains on behalf of other owners. West Coast also can do the old Vacuum Braked trains (like most UK steam loco and early diesels were built) and also the newer Air Braking ( of which some have been modified to be Air Braked), But DB I think normally only do Air Braked trains.

The fact that there is only 2 companies which can be used means of course there isn't a lot of choice, so at least two other organisations are in the process of setting up TOC themselves,(to run steam) but I understand it isn't cheap to do so and you need to be able to employ drivers etc. One of the problems recently was that West Coast had a near accident with the locomotive Tangmere when it passed a red Signal and this meant they had their Safety permission to run trains suspended for a while until they improved their procedures so this had a big effect for steam so this has probably provided the push for others to look at setting up their own TOC.

You can see a video of Tangmere on the famous Settle to Carlisle line here

 

Well, if you think its stiff in the UK, the good ole USA has mainly a resounding NO on anything resembling a mainline private steam operation. From what I have learned, the excuse is that traffic is too dense to allow an antique steam loco to be on the mainline with a very few exceptions such as N&W 611 & NKP 765. Pristine examples of steam for sure but still the tour schedules are slim to say the least. Another (believeable) excuse is insurance costs. If some idiot stubs a toe on a coach step or station platform a lawyer will see to it that costs skyrocket for a simple mishap. Which in 6023's allowable clearance from platforms can be an obstacle on whatever routes it may run on. Bottom line, there is no such thing as a TOC over here and likely not to be in the forseeeble future. I do not want to devalue the small yard engines which we do have running on short stretches of track but I cannot apologize for wanting to see the big ones in full stride. They attracted the train watchers of long ago and still do. GO 6023 go!!!

 

It seems as though many are ;looking to see the King back in action so - as a taster - a belated present taken on a Russ Hillier charter on the GCR a few years back !



A Happy New Year to all and long may your steam be warm.

 

Only sensible option really with West Coast's current stance - as 6023 isn't air braked its hard to see who would operate it until VT get their licence.

 

DIDCOT PUTS 'KING'S' MAIN LINE FUTURE ON HOLD

SINGLE-chimney 'King' No. 6023 'King Edward II' will see its operation restricted to heritage lines for the foreseeable future after the Great Western Society put its main line aspirations on hold.
Since its return to steam in 2011 Didcot-based No. 6023 has yet to venture onto the main line under its own power. In 2013 it was fitted with its reduced-height boiler fittings, and has also received a new blastpipe and improved draughting arrangements, but the main line dream remained elusive; gauging restrictions preventing it venturing away from its home shed.
With around two years left on its boiler ticket, the GWS has carried out a review of the situation and regretfully decided to postpone its plans for main line operation.
A statement from the GWS said: "This was not an easy decision to make as lot of people have put in many hundreds, if not thousands of hours work on restoring the loco from its scrapyard condition as well as the considerable financial contribution made."
The GWS cited several reasons for the decision, principally:

• A need to conclude the testing of the revised draughting.
• The limited time left on No. 6023's boiler current certificate.
• The general turmoil within the steam charter train business at the present time.
• Route restrictions and limitations.
• Cost of loaded test runs.

"It has been decided that at the present time it would be unwise to proceed any further with our plans to operate No. 6023 on the main line and that it should be postponed," the statement explained. "Our preferred option being to operate the loco on heritage railways and thereby gain valuable income towards a speedy boiler overhaul once her ticket has expired.
"Our aim would be to maintain her in full main line condition, with all the necessary annual safety checks, etc, so that should the situation change she could operate, once the necessary certification have been obtained, on the main line."
It is now hoped that 'King Edward II' will move by road to the Severn Valley Railway during February for testing of the revised draughting. If the outcome is successful, the blue 4-6-0 will take part in the SVR's March gala before moving to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway for its May gala.