6023

Indeed, the 8F did not really get the consideration it deserved before the vultures swooped.

 

Ouch!

I quite like the suggestion of Poland though...and the full-height boiler mountings could be restored for that! Time for a crowdfunding appeal?

 

I don't think that's quite true. AFAIK, this 8F was never made available on the open market after its initial acquisition.

 

Certainly done with quite a few recent DMUs for the railways in Ireland.

It doesn't seem to be readily possible to make the carriage bodies wider which would be welcome inside.

 

She sat in Woodhams for how many years though? That's the point. There was plenty of time then, but nobody seemed to care. Given the historical significance that keeps being brought up these days, was there any reason why she was overlooked in favour of the other 8Fs that did escape before her?

 

Have a look at the Brightline trains that have just started in Florida.

The steps come to meet the platform from the unit, really, it cannot be that hard can it???

 

Yes, it can! Do you realize they have to be electrically heated to prevent freezing up during winter?
We have those in the Netherlands, can be quite disturbing in traffic if they cannot be used.
Kind regards
Jos

 

The latest Echo received today mentions that once 6023 arrives on heritage railway, there is no reason why the correct fittings (referring to the Chimney) could not be reinstated.

 

I don't wonder how it has taken this long to make the decision and how practical didcot is as a base for the loco with no road access and width restriction on the main line. I do look forward to seeing it on the SVR hopefully a longer stay than a few months.

 

Just as pratical as Southall, which also does not have road access. Didct also has at leat one thing that Southall doesnt

 

There is road access to Southall. I have been along it.

 

Or....

Its been over 40 years since a decent British engine has been sent down under.

 

We don't send our stuff to the colony's anymore Ross!

 

Not a chance!!

 

Cant we send it to America/ Canada and get something decent and useful (An A4) instead...

 

I guess you could have it back after we played with it for a while!

Give the new draughting arrangements a good work out with some lengthy runs around the country....

Double head with 6024(AU) for a consecutive numbers tour - the "beauty and the beast" express!!

The "I had one of those when I was a kid" brigade would go nuts.

 

Well if the design exists, and I take it proven to work, why do we continue to faff about changing the track envelope, when a solution is available.

Tell you why, nobody wants to take responsibility for it, and the only group being affected are steam related, and slowly but surely, it is driven away from high volume main lines.....

 

I suspect that's a discussion that won't just apply to the GWS owned locos now WCRC have changed their stance. One thing that might be relevant in the GWS Echo I got last night was that they are thinking about whether they can create some form of air braking system possibly via the support coach. I don't know any more than that or what the implications would be if that is possible - but it might bring DBS back into play as a possible operator. (This was specifically referring to 4079 not really 6023 which clearly isn't going to be worth trying that sort of process given the time it would take to create and certify versus the remaining boiler life, whereas 4079 is still some way off being completed which gives time for a solution to be considered).

 

The support coach idea as described in the Echo would allow a vacuum braked loco to work air braked stock. That might or might not be enough to allow the loco to be worked by a DBC crew.